The 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance concluded in Shanghai, with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) participating for the fourth consecutive year. 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 an important bridge connecting China with global innovation resources.
Silas Chu, HKTDC Associate Executive Director (Technology and Digital Innovation), stated: "The HKTDC is committed to fostering the development of 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 emphasized that the HKTDC continues 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.
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, standards alignment, financial empowerment, 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, highlighting that the Hong Kong SAR Government is pressing ahead with transforming Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology centre while building a robust AI ecosystem and integrating into the national AI Plus initiative.
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. He 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, and a roundtable and networking dinner with enterprises from Shanghai's Xuhui District. These activities facilitated connections between Hong Kong enterprises and Mainland I&T companies, investors, and industry representatives. Additionally, the HKTDC launched the My Favourite Start-up Award, which was presented to HSITP start-up AI SEMI Limited. AI SEMI focuses on AI-empowered semiconductor manufacturing innovation, centered on AI optical proximity correction (AI-OPC), building a triangular flywheel of "algorithm + data + process" to reshape lithography technology.
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. The Hong Kong Tech Pavilion at WAIC provides start-ups a platform to showcase their technology solutions and connect with international investors. Since its inception, WAIC has brought together more than 8,100 leading scientists, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders from around the world, becoming an important platform for advancing AI innovation, industrial collaboration, and global AI governance. Under the theme "AI Partnership for a Brighter Future," this year's conference brought together more than 1,100 companies and featured over 3,000 innovative products.
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