The 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance concluded successfully in Shanghai on July 20, marking the fourth consecutive year of participation by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). The HKTDC, together 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, showcasing innovative solutions from 18 leading Hong Kong AI enterprises and institutions. The pavilion covered areas including 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 and start-up 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,” he said. The HKTDC facilitates local I&T enterprises' participation in major international technology exhibitions and industry events, enabling deeper exchange and collaboration with global corporations, investors, research institutions, and business partners. These efforts help the sector stay abreast of developments in AI and other frontier technologies while exploring new application scenarios and market opportunities.
On the first day of the conference, the HKTDC organized the Seminar on Fostering Economic Innovation and Global Collaboration through AI, bringing together representatives from government, research institutions, the financial sector, and I&T enterprises. The seminar discussed AI industrialization, real-world applications, governance and standards alignment, financial empowerment, and the global expansion of Greater Bay Area AI enterprises. Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, delivered opening remarks, 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, internationalized and sustainable AI ecosystem and proactively integrating into the national AI Plus initiative.” He highlighted leveraging the unique advantages of “One Country, Two Systems” to deepen collaboration among government, industry, academia, research, and investment sectors.
Jacky Chung, HKTDC Associate Executive Director (Global Network and Supply Chain) and Director of Chinese Mainland, noted that President Xi Jinping’s keynote speech emphasized jointly building a fair and equitable global AI governance framework. “His remarks provided clear direction for our work going forward,” Chung said. 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. The HKTDC will continue to actively support Mainland AI enterprises in expanding into international markets, accelerate the adoption of AI across diverse application scenarios, build international innovation and technology platforms, and foster more cross-border collaboration.
The HKTDC also organized business matching and networking activities, including a visit to a Shanghai-based business incubator on July 16, as well as a roundtable and networking dinner with enterprises from Shanghai’s Xuhui District. These activities facilitated business connections between participating Hong Kong enterprises and Chinese Mainland I&T companies, investors, and industry representatives. Additionally, the My Favourite Start-up Award was presented to HSITP start-up AI SEMI Limited, which is driven by AI-empowered semiconductor manufacturing innovation centered on AI optical proximity correction (AI-OPC).
The HKTDC has been actively bringing Hong Kong enterprises to major international tech shows, including CES 2026 in Las Vegas, Mobile World Congress (MWC) and 4 Years From Now (4YFN) in Barcelona, and Viva Technology in Paris. This year’s WAIC, under the theme “AI Partnership for a Brighter Future,” brought together more than 1,100 companies and featured over 3,000 innovative products. For more information, visit the HKTDC website.
