Hong Kong finance chief hails space camera and AI at innovation carnival
Hong Kong's finance chief spoke at the 2026 Innovation and Technology Carnival, highlighting the locally made 'Tianyun' camera on China's Tiangong space station and AI's role in accelerating research. He also unveiled the city's first five-year plan for innovation development.
Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po addressed the opening ceremony of the 2026 Innovation and Technology Carnival on 24 October at the Hong Kong Science Park. The event, themed 'Innovation Leads, Dreams Fly High', showcases a range of exhibits, including a space zone that features the 'Tianyun' camera, a Hong Kong-developed instrument aboard China's Tiangong space station. According to Chan, the camera monitors greenhouse gas emission sources with precision within 100 metres, helping scientists better understand climate change. The camera is operated by Hong Kong astronaut Dr Lai Ka-ying.
Chan highlighted the role of artificial intelligence as an 'accelerator' that can speed up drug development cycles and accelerate the discovery of new materials for safer, higher-capacity batteries to support the green transition. He emphasised that Hong Kong has strong conditions for exploration, including five universities ranked among the world's top 100, a full chain of financial services to support technology from lab to market, and a concentration of international talent.
The government last month released Hong Kong's first five-year plan for innovation, which uses the Northern Metropolis as a carrier for innovation and industry development. The plan promotes integrated development of education, technology, talent and industry, linking university training, research innovation and industrial demand. It also aims to leverage Hong Kong's financial advantages to guide more patient capital to support research teams and startups through different stages from research and development to application.
Chan cited the junior secondary category winner of the Hong Kong Students Science Competition, a mobile food-waste-to-paper machine that transforms plant-based food waste and waste paper into recycled paper in real time. He encouraged young attendees to consider what could be improved in the city, whether reducing waste, making learning more enjoyable for children, or making it easier for seniors to get around.
The carnival includes exhibitions, workshops, lectures and interactive experiences for visitors of all ages to learn about science and technology applications.