Ministry of Science and Technology’s First Major Exhibition Outside the Mainland Since the COVID Outbreak: Joining Hands with OHKF in InnoTech Expo

(12 December 2022, Hong Kong)  InnoTech Expo 2022 opens at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Organised by Our Hong Kong Foundation (OHKF) with the theme "Science and Technology Leads the Future", the Expo was the first large-scale event put together by the Ministry of Science and Technology since the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2019. The Expo showcases iconic national and local research achievements and stages a wide range of popular science programmes to let the public immerse themselves in the wonder of science. The Expo marks China’s advances in science and technology over the last 60 years, from the 1st Five-Year Plan to the 13th Five-Year Plan. It parades the speed, the height, the depth, and the breadth of China’s scientific and technological advances. 

Minister of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China Mr Wang Zhigang delivered a video speech at the opening, saying: “The theme reflects the country’s major scientific and technological achievements made during the 13th Five-Year Plan, and also captures Hong Kong’s key scientific research excellence over the past 25 years since the Handover. The Expo promotes Hong Kong’s innovation and technology, and also helps Hong Kong’s integration into national development. The ministry will keep working closely with OHKF to promote InnoTech Expo as a flagship event that fosters a culture of innovation.”

“Hong Kong is a global hub with all the necessary ingredients for innovation and technology success, and is also a global network for innovation and technology because of its rich research resources, strong innovative power, and superior geographic location.  With the strong support of the Central Government, Hong Kong is vigorously developing itself into an international innovation and technology hub, exploring new growth engines, and leveraging its strengths to meet the country’s needs. As an integral part of China’s innovation and technology ecosystem, Hong Kong is well poised to benefit from the country’s progress, and is all set to contribute to the country’s progress,” Minister Wang said.

Mr Bernard Charnwut Chan, OHKF Executive Vice Chairman said, "Behind China’s rapid progress is the whole country’s unrelenting effort in innovation and technology. From the first Five-Year Plan to the 13th Five-Year Plan, each and every five-year plan had reaped great harvest. We are now in the 14th Five-Year Plan, which includes a clear national goal of developing Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology centre. With solid support of our country, total commitment of the HKSAR Government, and a wellspring of talents in Hong Kong, I am confident that we will scale new heights in innovation and technology.’

Officiating at the Opening Ceremony, HKSAR Chief Executive Mr John Lee delivered a keynote speech. Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Ms Lu Xinning also addressed the audience. Other officiating guests are Vice Chairman of The National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Chief Convenor of Hong Kong Coalition Mr Leung Chun-ying, Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong Mr Yang Yirui, and OHKF Executive Vice Chairman Mr Bernard Charnwut Chan.

InnoTech Expo 2022 is open to the public free of charge from today till 22nd December. During the 11-day show, about 50 national exhibits and 25 scientific research achievements in Hong Kong will be on display. Immersion and popular science programmes include 38 lectures, 23 scientific performances, 12 sci-tech innovation demonstrations, and 10 STEM workshops for the “Family Fun Day”, 100 pop-science movies, and 23 sets of 360-degree AR and VR interactive devices.

Covering an area of nearly 9,000 square metres, the exhibition hall uses creative setting and immersive digital technologies to offer a “experience it for yourself” innovation journey for visitors. Covering five key domains of outer space, land, deep sea, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology, the exhibits present the latest breakthrough technologies including 3D-surround planets, the Mars and Moon landing, special audio-visual images, VR and AR devices, and large-scale displays, to present a vivid experience to visitors.

InnoTech Expo 2022 is organised by the OHKF, supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, co-organised by the China Science and Technology Exchange Center, and subvented by the Innovation and Technology Fund from Innovation and Technology Commission. It received strong support from the HKSAR Government, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong and all sectors of society. Over 500 institutions, community organisations, schools and academic sectors, political and business leaders and 300 student volunteers are involved in organising the show. For more details on InnoTech Expo 2022, please see：https://ourhkfoundation.org.hk/innotechexpo2022/