The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) concluded its fourth consecutive participation at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, showcasing 18 leading Hong Kong AI enterprises and institutions at the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion. The event, held from July 17 to 20, brought together over 1,100 companies and featured more than 3,000 innovative products under the theme “AI Partnership for a Brighter Future.”
The pavilion, mounted in collaboration with Cyberport, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), and Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited (HSITP), highlighted solutions in intelligent robotics, smart city technologies, cybersecurity, and enterprise intelligence. This year’s participation underscores Hong Kong’s strengths as an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre and its unique role 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,” he said. “Through our participation in WAIC, we hope to showcase Hong Kong’s vibrant I&T ecosystem to a global audience and help bring more innovative solutions to international markets.”
On the first day of the conference, the HKTDC organized the Seminar on Fostering Economic Innovation and Global Collaboration through AI, which brought together government officials, researchers, financiers, and I&T leaders. Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, delivered opening remarks, noting that the SAR government is pressing ahead with transforming Hong Kong into an international I&T centre while building a robust AI ecosystem. “Leveraging the unique advantages of ‘One Country, Two Systems’, Hong Kong will continue to deepen collaboration among the government, industry, academia, research and investment sectors,” he said.
Jacky Chung, HKTDC Associate Executive Director (Global Network and Supply Chain), highlighted President Xi Jinping’s keynote speech emphasizing a fair 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 will continue to support Mainland AI enterprises in expanding internationally and foster cross-border collaboration.
The HKTDC also facilitated business matching activities, including a visit to a Shanghai-based business incubator on July 16, a roundtable, and a networking dinner with enterprises from Xuhui District. These efforts deepened I&T collaboration between Hong Kong and the Mainland. Additionally, the My Favourite Start-up Award was presented to AI SEMI Limited, an HSITP start-up specializing in AI-empowered semiconductor manufacturing innovation.
The HKTDC has been actively bringing Hong Kong enterprises to major international tech shows, following appearances at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, MWC and 4YFN in Barcelona, and Viva Technology in Paris. WAIC has become an important platform for advancing AI innovation and global governance, having brought together over 8,100 leading scientists, entrepreneurs, and investors since its inception. For more information, visit the HKTDC’s media room at http://mediaroom.hktdc.com.
