The World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit opened today, where Chief Executive John Lee met its guest speakers and delivered remarks.

Under the theme "Integration of AI & Digital Technologies Shaping the Future - Jointly Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace", the two-day summit is expected to attract nearly 1,000 local and overseas participants from governments, political and business sectors, international organisations, the management of leading corporations, authoritative experts and scholars.

Participants will engage in in-depth exchanges on various technological areas, promoting the high-quality development of innovation and technology.

At the summit's opening ceremony this morning, National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Vice-Chairman Wang Yong and Mr Lee delivered their remarks, while Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) Director and World Internet Conference (WIC) Chairman Zhuang Rongwen gave a keynote speech.

Meeting Mr Wang this morning, the Chief Executive noted that the third session of the 14th National People's Congress was successfully convened in Beijing last month. A Government work report proposed to develop new quality productive forces in light of local conditions and pursue integrated advancements in technological and industrial innovation.

He said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is actively developing new quality productive forces and new industrialisation initiatives, with the innovation and technology industry expected to achieve high-quality development. It is also accelerating the development of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, striving to develop Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology centre.

Hong Kong will continue to leverage its advantages in connecting the Mainland with the world, further deepening international exchanges and co-operation, and exploring new opportunities in innovation and technology.

In the afternoon, Mr Lee met Mr Zhuang, expressing his gratitude to the CAC for its continued support to the Hong Kong SAR Government and its collaboration with the Innovation, Technology & Industry Bureau in promoting cross-border data flows within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Highlighting that data is a key driving force of innovation and high-quality development, Mr Lee said the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to maintain close communication and co-operation with the CAC to facilitate Hong Kong's active integration into the national data development and the digital economy development in the GBA.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan and Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong also spoke at the summit.

It is the first time the WIC has held a summit in Hong Kong, affirming the city's status as an international metropolis and demonstrating its support for Hong Kong’s innovation and technology development.