HONG KONG, Feb. 25, 2026 – The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) has expressed its strong support for the 2026-27 Budget. ASTRI is fully committed to backing the SAR government's intensified efforts to advance key research and development areas, including artificial intelligence, life health, new industrialization, green technology, and construction technology. The institute will actively align with the government's initiative to dovetail with the national 15th Five-Year Plan, integrating market forces to accelerate the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation. This will facilitate Hong Kong's integration into the national development framework and contribute to its goal of becoming an international innovation and technology hub.

Expanding Research Fields and Proactively Investing in the Future Professor Ir Hugh Li, Chairman of the ASTRI Board, stated that this year marks the beginning of the national 15th Five-Year Plan, presenting significant development opportunities for Hong Kong's innovation and technology sector. He welcomed the Budget's allocation of additional resources to promote innovation and technology development and talent training, accelerate the development of the Northern Metropolis, and drive growth through innovation and technology. These measures are seen as injecting new momentum for developing "new quality productive forces" and promoting high-quality economic growth. Professor Ir Hugh Li said, "ASTRI's merger with the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute (NAMI) in April will expand our research scope into advanced materials, new energy, and green technology, which aligns perfectly with the key development directions of both the nation and the Hong Kong SAR Government. We will fully leverage our strengths in research and commercialization to actively foster collaboration across the entire technology industry chain. This will speed up the transition of technological achievements from the laboratory to market applications, providing practical solutions for various industries, enhancing overall industrial competitiveness, and boosting Hong Kong's economic growth."

Leveraging the "Bridge" Advantage to Expand into International Markets The Budget also proposed multiple measures to attract investment and talent, and to enhance support for Mainland enterprises expanding overseas by utilizing Hong Kong's unique position as a connector. It also aims to improve tax and institutional frameworks to promote intellectual property trading and financing, thereby aiding economic development. Dr. Ir Sunny Suen, Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI, welcomed the Budget's comprehensive support for innovation and technology development, covering infrastructure investment, new technology development, talent cultivation, and encouraging widespread adoption of technology by enterprises to enhance competitiveness. He indicated that ASTRI possesses extensive experience in technology R&D, international standards alignment, testing and certification, and technology transfer, enabling it to provide comprehensive technical support to enterprises, particularly in the area of technology patent cooperation. "Technology patents are a key driver for technology transfer and industrial upgrading. To date, ASTRI has secured 1,200 patents and successfully transferred 1,600 technologies for industry application," Dr. Ir Suen noted. Furthermore, through its Shenzhen office, ASTRI collaborates with enterprises in the Greater Bay Area, offering more diversified technical testing and application services. ASTRI has also established technology transfer centers in Beijing and Suzhou, aiming to promote Hong Kong-developed research outcomes to Mainland and overseas markets through technological innovation and industrial collaboration. He pointed out that following the merger with NAMI, ASTRI's scale and capabilities will be significantly strengthened. The institute will capitalize on complementary advantages and synergies to continue developing technologies that contribute to building a smart city and driving industrial innovation, along with their innovative applications. These include "AI+" solutions for various industries, smart communication technologies essential for low-altitude economy and autonomous driving, advanced chips suitable for smart factories and robotics, and IoT sensing and system control technologies.