Hong Kong (July 7, 2026) – AI is no longer a future trend, but a present-day priority. The 15th Five-Year Plan has given Hong Kong a clear national mandate to lead on AI and technology, and the city is accelerating its AI+ strategy across industries. This year, SCMP’s China Conference hosted in Hong Kong attracted 500 business leaders, industry pioneers, scholars and top government officials to explore how AI’s full potential can be harnessed to drive the city’s sustained economic growth and long-term prosperity.
Speaking at the conference, The Hon John KC Lee, GBM, SBS, PDSM, PMSM, Chief Executive, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, emphasised that Hong Kong is rapidly cementing its status as a premier global hub for innovation, heavily driven by its strategic commitment to scaling artificial intelligence and deep international connectivity. “Hong Kong’s prowess as a two-way bridge between our country and the world is recognised by not only rankings, but also companies from around the globe,” Lee stated, pointing to the influx of over 120 strategic enterprises in high-tech industries such as AI, data science and life health technology, that are set to invest billions and create thousands of local jobs.
To sustain this high-quality economic progress, the government is actively prioritising AI infrastructure, including the recent establishment of Cyberport’s Artificial Intelligence Supercomputing Centre to provide critical computing power to researchers and industries. This technological push is deeply integrated with national strategies, particularly within the Greater Bay Area and the upcoming development of the Northern Metropolis to foster robust cross-border collaboration. “The HKSAR Government is determined to open up new opportunities for global business and talent, helping them access, engage with and thrive in the Greater Bay Area and the Chinese Mainland, with Hong Kong as their trusted gateway and strategic partner,” Lee affirmed.
Also addressing the conference, Steve Finch, President & CEO of Manulife Asia, said that the company is accelerating its digital transformation across the Greater Bay Area, leveraging cutting-edge technology to revolutionise how financial and health decisions are made. “At its core, technology can remove the friction that stops people from taking action,” Finch noted, highlighting how intelligent systems provide the personalised, intuitive guidance needed to turn long-term retirement planning into reality. By successfully equipping its 11,000 agency force in Hong Kong with proprietary generative AI tools, the company is proving that smart systems can elevate personal service without losing the human element. He emphasised that innovation has clearly enhanced the human touch rather than replacing it, as synthesising complex data instantly allows agents to focus entirely on delivering tailored, empathetic and human-centered advice.
As the South China Morning Post convenes the 12th China Conference, this year places a sharp focus on the transformative power of artificial intelligence. Tammy Tam, Publisher, South China Morning Post, highlighted that “This year’s conference theme spotlights AI for a simple reason – AI is no longer a future trend, but a present-day priority.” This focus reflects Hong Kong’s strategic pivot towards becoming an international innovation and technology hub, under the national 15th Five-Year Plan, with AI integration now serving as a core pillar of the city’s economic agenda.
The South China Morning Post is committed to providing trusted insights and facilitating partnerships that transcend borders, further cementing Hong Kong’s role as a vital nexus for global development. Last month, Chief Executive John Lee led a delegation visiting Central Asia, which yielded 96 agreements with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan worth US$1.65 billion. Among those, the SCMP has also signed two partnerships with Astana International Financial Centre Authority and Astana Hub respectively. During the conference, Tam announced the expansion of the China Conference series to Central Asia, “The story continues to expand toward new horizons. I am very pleased to announce that the South China Morning Post will take the China Conference to Kazakhstan’s capital city Astana in September.”
During the fireside chat moderated by SCMP’s Tammy Tam, Dr Qi Xiaoning, Vice President, Alibaba Group, discussed the future of computing capability and chip design, while highlighting that an open and collaborative model is the foundation for the AI era.
For further insights into the conference discussions, read more with SCMP:
- Editorial | In the age of AI, Hong Kong’s strategy as a ‘superconnector’ is progressing
- SCMP’s China Conference to debut in Astana this September
- AI ‘central plank’ in Hong Kong’s economic development, John Lee says
- Hong Kong should build AI plan around ‘competitive’ strengths, industry leaders say
- World working together ‘as one ecosystem’ on RISC-V chip research: executive
- Hong Kong should build AI plan around ‘competitive’ strengths, industry leaders say
- China has potential to become world’s largest consumer market by 2041, policy adviser says
China Conference Hong Kong 2026 is supported by:
- Presenting Sponsor: Manulife
- Diamond Sponsor: Bank of Communications (Hong Kong)
- Platinum Sponsor: Huawei
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