â€‹Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Opening Ceremony of 2023 Future Science Prize Week today (October 14):

Dennis (Co-Chair of the Program Committee of 2023 Future Science Prize Week, Professor Dennis Lo), Professor Yang Xueming (Co-Chair of the Program Committee of 2023 Future Science Prize Week), Mr Richard Liu (Rotating Chairman of Council of the Future Forum 2023), Professor Gregory Winter (2018 Nobel Prize Laureate in Chemistry), Professor Shankar Balasubramanian (2022 Breakthrough Prize Laureate in Life Science), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good morning. I am delighted to be here today for the opening ceremony of the Future Science Prize Week 2023. First of all, on behalf of the Hong Kong SAR Government, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all the scientists and speakers coming to Hong Kong.

     When I heard last year that the Future Science Prize Week including the award ceremony would be moving to Hong Kong for the very first time, I could not hide my excitement and immediately expressed my strong support. Two months ago, I attended the press conference of the Future Science Prize 2023 and witnessed the heartfelt sharing from the winners. With the official launch of the Future Science Prize Week today, I finally have the opportunity to meet the winners and congratulate them in person!

     As the Chief Executive has just said, the location of today's opening ceremony at the Hong Kong Science Park, is symbolic and meaningful. In particular, the landmark auditorium where we gather here is named after Professor Charles Kao, 高錕教授, the "Father of Fiber Optic Communications", with whom we are all very familiar. He won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2009 and had spent much of his life in Hong Kong, contributing to science and education, as well as nurturing Hong Kong's next generation. We are very fortunate to have so many great world-class scientists in our city, which shows that Hong Kong has an excellent soil for nurturing I&T talent. I am of full confidence that the I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong will continue to be increasingly vibrant.

     With the staunch support from our motherland, Hong Kong is fully committed to the I&T development and is working at full steam to become an international innovation and technology centre. We all continue to give full play to our important role as a bridge connecting the Mainland and rest of the world, and leverage Hong Kong's advantages as an international city to foster global I&T collaboration by supporting more world-class academic exchanges in Hong Kong, just like today. I am confident that the Future Science Prize Week programmes will help further enhance the awareness and interest in science and technology among the younger generation, and create a stronger scientific atmosphere in the community.

     Today's opening ceremony marks the official start of the four-day Future Science Prize Week programmes, kicked off by the Life Science session, where heavyweight scientists will soon lead us on an exploration of mysteries of life and health. Please stay tuned for more exciting programmes in the coming days and join us on this amazing I&T journey.

     Science and technology is advancing by leaps and bounds, and that is our mission to popularise science for the future and to build a better and brighter future for our next generation. In the face of various challenges around the world, science and technology will continue to unlock more for the benefit of humanity.

     Before I close, I would like to thank Dennis and the Organising Committee for all their excellent efforts to make this possible. I am also most grateful to have the top-tier and renowned speakers for their generous sharing of knowledge and insight. May I wish you all a fruitful and enjoyable experience at the Future Science Prize Week in Hong Kong. Thank you very much!

  

     Following is the video speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Opening Ceremony of 2023 Future Science Prize Week today (October 14):
      
Professor Dennis Lo (Co-Chair of the Program Committee of 2023 Future Science Prize Week), Professor Yang Xueming (Co-Chair of the Program Committee of 2023 Future Science Prize Week), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     It is my great pleasure to virtually join the opening of the 2023 Future Science Prize Week. I would like to start by extending my sincere congratulations to the eight awardees of the 2023 Future Science Prize.
      
     Since its inception in 2016, the Future Science Prize has awarded 35 distinguished scientists who have made outstanding achievements in science and technology in the Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan. This eminent award has given the global community a better understanding of the scientific development in the country and the impact of our scientists to the world.
      
     I am delighted to note that for the very first time in the prize's history, this year's Prize Week is being held here in Hong Kong. The opening ceremony today takes place in the Hong Kong Science Park, a flagship I&T (innovation and technology) facility that is home to over 1 000 thriving tech firms.
      
     As for the award ceremony, it will be held in one of our newest and most spectacular landmarks – the Hong Kong Palace Museum, which showcases national treasures from the Forbidden City in Beijing, and is part of our blossoming West Kowloon Cultural District. I surely hope that our guests will have an extraordinary and memorable experience there, as you marvel at the synergy between science and culture, in this dynamic Asia's world city of Hong Kong.
      
     Over 100 outstanding scientists coming from all over the world will take part in a two-day Science Symposium today and tomorrow, as you participate in a series of thought-provoking panel discussions.
      
     These world-class scientific events and exchanges will certainly inspire our young and budding scientists to pursue excellence in their careers, and go a long way towards consolidating Hong Kong's strategic position in developing into an international I&T centre.
      
     I&T development is a top policy priority of the Hong Kong SAR Government. We are committed to promoting societal progress and economic development through I&T. Throughout the years, we have already invested more than HK$200 billion in such measures as developing infrastructure, promoting research and development, nurturing talents and supporting the industry.
      
     We are now moving at full steam along the strategies as set out in the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint. And I can assure you that more targeted measures in boosting our I&T prowess will be announced in my upcoming Policy Address later this month.
      
     Before I close, I would like to take the opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Program Committee and Steering Committee of the Future Science Prize Week, as well as the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences for organising this prestigious event.
      
     I am sure you will have an insightful experience here. My congratulations again to all the laureates. Thank you very much. 

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (October 14) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), together with the MTR Corporation (MTRC), the Fire Services Department (FSD), the Auxiliary Medical Service, St John Ambulance conducted an inter-departmental response exercise in the early hours today (October 14), in order to enhance the response capabilities of the HKPF, the MTRC and various government departments to handle large-scale incidents happened in the railway system.

     The exercise simulated a train incident in Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station with multiple casualties. Some passengers later left the train compartment through the rear detrainment ramp and walked along the track tunnel to the platform of Jordan MTR Station. The MTRC immediately contacted the HKPF and the FSD. Police officers and emergency service personnel sped to the scene and worked together with the MTRC staff on the evacuation of passengers and rescue operation. A triage station was set up at scene for handling the casualties, and kept track of the situation through the inter-departmental platform “Patient Tagging System”. Police officers, MTRC staff and FSD personnel then entered the tunnel for initial investigations and searched for casualties. Officers from relevant government departments, including the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department and the Transport Department, were present to observe.

     Over 1 000 officers from the MTRC and relevant government departments participated in the exercise. Counter Terrorist Response Unit, Police Tactical Units, Emergency Unit Kowloon West, Traffic Kowloon West, Yau Tsim District and Railway District of the HKPF were involved.

     The railway system in Hong Kong is one of the most important large-scale infrastructure and a major public transport network. Through this exercise, Police aimed at testing and posing challenges to different departments and units on their response capabilities to large-scale incident happened in the railway system, enhancing the collaboration capabilities and operational efficiency.

     The HKPF will continue to maintain close contact with all stakeholders, conduct regular inter-departmental exercises, review the existing contingency plans, and be well prepared for all possible situations, in order to safeguard the lives and safety of citizens.
 

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, attended the 2023 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) in Marrakech, Morocco, yesterday (October 13, Marrakech time), as a member of the Chinese delegation.

     The Annual Meetings bring together ministers of finance and heads of relevant agencies, representatives of central banks, key members of the private sector and non-governmental organisations and academics from around the world to discuss issues of global concern, including the world economic outlook and development, as well as responding to climate change. Among the issues, fostering a more balanced, resilient and inclusive  global economic growth; controlling inflation and maintaining price stability; promoting transformative  reform for better responding to global economic challenges; eradicating poverty; and responding to climate change, are the focus of the Annual Meetings.

     After the Plenary Session, Mr Chan met with Deputy Managing Director of the IMF Mr Li Bo; the Managing Director and Chief Administrative Officer of the WBG, Mr Yang Shaolin; and the Asia and Pacific Department Director of the IMF, Mr Krishna Srinivasan, respectively. They exchanged views on such issues as the global economic situation, international geopolitical landscape, responding to climate change, green finance, and fintech development.

     Mr Chan expressed to them that Hong Kong has fully resumed international connectivity since the beginning of the year, with a rapid increase in visitor arrivals, and a steady economic recovery. He introduced the advantages of the successful implementation and long-term adherence to the "one country, two systems" principle in Hong Kong, as well as the new opportunities brought by the development of finance and innovative technology, including the new developments in green technology and green finance. He also provided an overview of the development of Hong Kong's digital economy and financial technology, as well as the policy measures in attracting strategic enterprises and talent. Mr Chan said that Hong Kong will host several major international financial forums and a series of tourism events in the coming months, welcoming representatives from various countries to come to Hong Kong and experience its extraordinary charm firsthand.

     Mr Chan today (October 14, Marrakech time) will meet with certain representatives of central banks and senior executives of international financial institutions attending the Annual Meetings. He will depart for Hong Kong and arrive in the late afternoon of October 15 (Hong Kong time).