The inaugural LEAP East 2026, held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from July 8 to 10, gathered more than 35,000 technology professionals, policymakers, and investors from 30 countries and regions. The event, the first LEAP summit staged outside Saudi Arabia, featured over 340 speakers, 450 exhibitors, and 400 investors, covering artificial intelligence, deep tech, smart cities, and new energy industries.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan emphasized Hong Kong's unique position as a global connector. "Hong Kong is perhaps the only city in the world that connects seamlessly to both the Chinese Mainland and the rest of the world at the same time," he said at the opening ceremony. He highlighted Hong Kong's common law system, robust intellectual property protection, free flow of capital and data, and low taxes as foundations for business and innovation. Chan also noted that the event will continue to be held in Hong Kong for the next three years.
The summit underscored deepening collaboration between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia, with Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia, attending the opening ceremony. Chan invited Saudi and Gulf enterprises to use Hong Kong as an international fundraising and risk-management platform, expressing commitment to cooperation in innovation, infrastructure, green technology, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and professional services. He also revealed plans to lead a Hong Kong delegation to Saudi Arabia later this year to explore concrete projects.
Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, highlighted Hong Kong's I&T achievements: start-ups surged 40% since 2021 to 5,200 in 2025; the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster ranked first globally in the Global Innovation Index 2025; and Hong Kong ranked fourth globally in the World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2025 and second in the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026. Hong Kong also topped global IPO listings in 2025 with 119 listings raising about US$35 billion.
The event reflects Hong Kong's role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" for international I&T exchanges, according to Professor Sun. The strong turnout and government support signal Hong Kong's growing importance as a hub for global innovation and investment, particularly as a bridge between the Chinese Mainland and international markets.
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