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 mounted the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion alongside Cyberport, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), and Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited (HSITP), featuring 18 leading Hong Kong AI enterprises. The pavilion showcased solutions in 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 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 and start-up ecosystem. Through platforms like WAIC, the HKTDC helps start-ups enhance market visibility and expand into the Chinese Mainland and overseas markets. Chu noted that these efforts enable deeper exchange and collaboration with global corporations, investors, research institutions, and business partners, keeping the sector abreast of developments in AI and 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 government, research institutions, the financial sector, and I&T enterprises. Discussions focused on AI industrialization, real-world applications, governance and 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, stating that the Hong Kong SAR Government is transforming Hong Kong into an international I&T centre while building a robust, trustworthy, and sustainable AI ecosystem. He highlighted the unique advantages of 'One Country, Two Systems' and the importance of deepening 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, referenced President Xi Jinping's keynote speech on jointly building a fair and equitable global AI governance framework. Chung noted that as AI shifts from R&D breakthroughs to 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 support Mainland AI enterprises in expanding internationally, accelerate AI adoption across diverse scenarios, and foster cross-border collaboration.
The HKTDC also organized business matching and networking activities, including a visit to a Shanghai-based business incubator on 16 July, a roundtable, and a networking dinner with enterprises from Shanghai's Xuhui District. These activities facilitated connections between participating Hong Kong enterprises and Mainland I&T companies, investors, and industry representatives. Additionally, the HKTDC hosted the My Favourite Start-up Award, won by HSITP start-up AI SEMI Limited, which focuses on AI-empowered semiconductor manufacturing innovation using AI optical proximity correction (AI-OPC).
Following participation at CES 2026, MWC and 4YFN in Barcelona, and Viva Technology in Paris, the HKTDC's presence at WAIC underscores its ongoing efforts to bring Hong Kong enterprises to major international tech shows. The conference, held from 17 to 20 July under the theme 'AI Partnership for a Brighter Future,' brought together over 1,100 companies and featured more than 3,000 innovative products. For more information, visit the HKTDC's official website.
