The 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance concluded in Shanghai on July 20, with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) participating for the fourth consecutive year. The HKTDC, in partnership with Cyberport, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), and Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited (HSITP), mounted the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion, featuring 18 leading Hong Kong AI enterprises and institutions. The pavilion highlighted innovations in intelligent robotics, smart city technologies, cybersecurity, and enterprise intelligence, demonstrating Hong Kong's strengths as an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre and its unique advantage as a bridge connecting China with global innovation resources.
Silas Chu, HKTDC Associate Executive Director (Technology and Digital Innovation), emphasized the council's commitment to fostering Hong Kong's I&T ecosystem: "Through various platforms, we actively help start-ups enhance their market visibility, expand into the Chinese Mainland and overseas markets, and further promote Hong Kong’s I&T strengths. We continue to facilitate the participation of local I&T enterprises in major international technology exhibitions and industry events, enabling deeper exchange and collaboration between the industry and global corporations, investors, research institutions and business partners." The HKTDC organized a seminar on the first day of the conference, titled "Fostering Economic Innovation and Global Collaboration through AI," which brought together government officials, researchers, financial sector representatives, and I&T enterprises to discuss AI industrialization, governance, and global expansion of Greater Bay Area AI enterprises.
Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, delivered opening remarks at the seminar, stating: "The Hong Kong SAR Government is pressing ahead with transforming Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology centre, while building a robust, trustworthy, internationalised and sustainable AI ecosystem and proactively integrating into the national AI Plus initiative." He highlighted the advantages of "One Country, Two Systems" in deepening collaboration among government, industry, academia, research, and investment sectors, aiming to contribute to AI innovation in China and globally.
Jacky Chung, HKTDC Associate Executive Director (Global Network and Supply Chain) and Director of Chinese Mainland, noted President Xi Jinping's keynote speech emphasizing a fair and equitable global AI governance framework. "As AI shifts from R&D breakthroughs towards large-scale industrial application, Hong Kong will leverage its unique strengths to contribute to the national 15th Five-Year Plan," Chung said. The HKTDC organized business matching activities, including a visit to a Shanghai-based business incubator on July 16 and a roundtable with enterprises from Shanghai’s Xuhui District, facilitating connections between Hong Kong and Mainland I&T companies, investors, and industry representatives.
The HKTDC also held the My Favourite Start-up Award, where visitors voted for the enterprise with the strongest innovation capability and market potential. The award went to HSITP start-up AI SEMI Limited, which focuses on AI-empowered semiconductor manufacturing innovation through AI optical proximity correction (AI-OPC), reshaping the lithography technology value chain. The HKTDC has been actively bringing Hong Kong enterprises to major international tech shows, following participation in CES 2026, MWC and 4YFN in Barcelona, and Viva Technology in Paris. This year's WAIC, under the theme "AI Partnership for a Brighter Future," brought together over 1,100 companies and featured more than 3,000 innovative products, reinforcing its role as a platform for advancing AI innovation and global governance.
For more information about the HKTDC and its initiatives, visit HKTDC. Media enquiries can be directed to the HKTDC's Communications & Public Affairs Department via their Media Room.
