The 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance concluded successfully in Shanghai on July 20, marking another milestone in international AI cooperation. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) participated for the fourth consecutive year, partnering with Cyberport, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), and Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited (HSITP) to mount the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion. The pavilion featured innovative solutions from 18 leading Hong Kong AI enterprises and institutions, covering intelligent robotics, smart city technologies, cybersecurity, and enterprise intelligence, demonstrating Hong Kong's strengths as an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre.
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." The HKTDC facilitates participation in major international technology exhibitions to enable deeper exchange and collaboration with global corporations, investors, and research institutions.
On the first day of the conference, the HKTDC organized the Seminar on Fostering Economic Innovation and Global Collaboration through AI. The seminar brought together government, research, financial, and enterprise representatives to discuss AI industrialization, governance, and global expansion. Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, delivered opening remarks, stating: "The Hong Kong SAR Government is pressing ahead with transforming Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology centre, while building a robust, trustworthy, internationalised and sustainable AI ecosystem." He highlighted the unique advantages of "One Country, Two Systems" in deepening collaboration across sectors.
Jacky Chung, HKTDC Associate Executive Director (Global Network and Supply Chain), noted 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 supporting Mainland AI enterprises in expanding internationally and accelerating AI adoption across diverse scenarios.
The HKTDC also organized business matching activities, including a visit to a Shanghai business incubator, a roundtable, and a networking dinner with enterprises from Xuhui District. These facilitated connections between Hong Kong enterprises and Mainland I&T companies, investors, and industry representatives. Additionally, the My Favourite Start-up Award was presented to AI SEMI Limited, an HSITP start-up focused on AI-empowered semiconductor manufacturing. The award recognized the enterprise's innovation capability and market potential among the 18 participating start-ups.
The HKTDC has actively brought Hong Kong enterprises to major international tech shows, including CES 2026 in Las Vegas, MWC and 4YFN in Barcelona, and Viva Technology in Paris. WAIC 2026, under the theme "AI Partnership for a Brighter Future," brought together over 1,100 companies and featured more than 3,000 innovative products. The conference served as a platform for advancing AI innovation, industrial collaboration, and global governance.
For more information about the HKTDC and its initiatives, visit www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Media enquiries can be directed to the HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department via their media room at http://mediaroom.hktdc.com.
