World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit debuts in HK

The two-day World Internet Conference (WIC) Asia-Pacific Summit commenced on Monday in Hong Kong, marking the inaugural Summit that was being held in the city.

Under the theme "Integration of AI and Digital Technologies Shaping the Future - Jointly Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace," the Summit is expected to attract approximately 1,000 participants. The diverse group will include representatives from governmental and business sectors, international organizations, prominent corporations, as well as experts and scholars from around 30 countries and regions.

At the welcome dinner hosted on Sunday evening, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu extended a warm welcome to the delegations, emphasizing that over 1,400 international companies and leading IT groups have established their regional headquarters in Hong Kong in efforts to expand into mainland markets.

He highlighted that artificial intelligence (AI) serves as a crucial driver in the acceleration of cultivating new quality productivity. 

In support of this initiative, the government has allocated HK$1 billion for the establishment of the Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute. The institute aims to lead and support the city's innovative research and development (R&D) as well as the industrial applications of AI.

The city leader expressed his hope that the Summit would enhance collaboration among companies through comprehensive exchanges of perspectives and experiences, thereby generating new drivers for development within the Asia-Pacific region.