Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong Promotes Hong Kong's Strengths in Bangkok

Hong Kong's Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, continued his visit to Bangkok on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, engaging with Thailand's innovation and technology community to highlight Hong Kong's advantages and vast potential for collaboration.

Professor Sun delivered a keynote speech at the seminar-cum-dinner titled "Building Long-term Growth and Resilience: Hong Kong as a Strategic Hub for Technology, Innovation and Investment." The event was jointly organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok, Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Invest Hong Kong, and the Thai-Hong Kong Business Association.

In his address, Professor Sun noted Thailand's significant progress in digital infrastructure, startup cultivation, smart manufacturing, and specialised fields such as medtech, agritech, and green technology. He emphasised that these developments align closely with Hong Kong's strengths, creating a solid foundation for deeper economic and technological cooperation between the two places.

He highlighted Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem, anchored by three major science parks and five flagship research institutes. With the Hong Kong Park of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Cooperation Zone (Hetao Hong Kong Park) officially inaugurated in December 2025, Professor Sun positioned Hong Kong as an ideal gateway for Thai enterprises seeking to access the vast mainland Chinese market.

During the day, Professor Sun visited the Digital Economy Promotion Agency under Thailand's Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, exchanging views on strategies to advance digital economy and innovation. Discussions included potential collaboration between the agency, Hong Kong Science Park, and the Hetao Hong Kong Park.

He also met with senior management of the Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group), a Thailand-based conglomerate with diverse operations. The talks covered the group's latest developments and investments in advanced manufacturing, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity (through its telecom arm True Corporation), and retail sectors.

Later, Professor Sun visited the College of Innovation and Management at Mahidol University, touring cutting-edge research facilities and exploring opportunities for joint research, technology transfer, and startup incubation. He also held discussions with the Federation of Thai Industries on cooperation in new industrialisation and industrial upgrading, inviting Thai enterprises to leverage Hong Kong as a platform to expand into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and international markets.

The visit followed a busy first day on Tuesday, January 27, when Professor Sun arrived in Bangkok and met with the Thai Health Tech Association to learn about its efforts in digital health innovation. He inspected the True Digital Park, gaining insights into its model for nurturing tech companies and technology commercialisation. He also called on Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Zhang Jianwei, briefing him on Hong Kong's initiatives in innovation, emerging industries, and digital economy, and discussing ways to strengthen Hong Kong-Thailand tech ties.

Professor Sun is scheduled to continue his Southeast Asia mission in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Thursday, January 29.