Hong Kong's Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Sun Dong, attended the Legislative Council Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting policy briefing session on October 6, delivering opening remarks on the Hong Kong First Five-Year Plan and the 2026 Policy Address.
On computing infrastructure development, Sun Dong stated that the Sha Ling data park has already begun construction and is expected to provide computing power of 180,000 PFLOPS by 2032 or earlier. This represents 36 times Hong Kong's current computing capacity, with cumulative investment reaching at least HK$23.8 billion, providing critical support for Hong Kong's development of intelligent computing and the AI industry.
Regarding advancing new industrialization and accelerating the industrialization of innovation and technology, the Hong Kong Five-Year Plan proposes promoting AI as a key industry for Hong Kong's future development. Through comprehensively advancing the "AI+" initiative, upgrading computing infrastructure, and accelerating AI adoption among small and medium-sized enterprises, Hong Kong will fully unleash the potential of AI development, empowering all industries with AI technology.
The Hong Kong SAR government will also inject HK$1 billion into the AI Funding Scheme to support cutting-edge research and accelerate innovation breakthroughs. Meanwhile, the government will assess market demand for computing power, with "efficient computing, stable electricity, and low-carbon transition" as core directions, to optimize data center operations and city-level computing power layout.
In supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, the government will optimize the Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme, using matching grants to support more SMEs in adopting AI and cybersecurity solutions. The Hong Kong Productivity Council will also expand the "Digital Self-Service" platform, integrating AI-assisted SME consulting services to help enterprises assess and address cybersecurity risks, and provide technical support for AI applications. Through training and exhibitions under the "AI with HKPC" programme, the government will strengthen society's awareness and application capabilities regarding AI, particularly among SMEs.
AI risk governance is an important component of coordinating development and security. The Hong Kong Digital Policy Office will establish an AI Commissioner to assist the Chief Secretary for Administration and various policy bureaus in advancing the AI risk governance strategy proposed in the Policy Address.
Among seven areas of work, the Digital Policy Office will select pilot departments, requiring bidders for public-facing AI service projects to make AI safety and ethical compliance declarations; promote institutions in formulating AI application guidelines, certification, and governance frameworks for different industries; and jointly publish AI Agent safety management guidelines applicable to society as a whole with the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute.
Additionally, the government will launch over 200 training courses and activities under the "AI for All" inclusive programme, and introduce a "Robots into the Community" pilot scheme to raise public awareness of embodied intelligence.
In deepening the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Hong Kong Five-Year Plan proposes improving the cross-border data management mechanism, promoting facilitation of cross-border data flows, and exploring mutual recognition of electronic identities and alignment of digital government services. Hong Kong will continue to promote facilitation measures under the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Mainland, Hong Kong) Standard Contract for Cross-boundary Flow of Personal Information, promoting cross-border data flows under the premise of ensuring data security and advancing the digital economy of the Greater Bay Area. It will also continue to optimize and enhance the "iAM Smart" platform and launch the "Digital Corporate Identity" platform.