Speech by CE at HKU 111th Anniversary Celebration-cum-Tech Landmark Ground-breaking Ceremony
23.7.2022

Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the University of Hong Kong 111th Anniversary Celebration-cum-Tech Landmark Ground-breaking Ceremony today (July 23): President and Vice-Chancellor Zhang Xiang, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, Good morning to you all. It gives me great pleasure to be here this morning in celebration of both the University of Hong Kong's 111th anniversary and the groundbreaking ceremony for the University's next major milestone, the Tech Landmark. Since its establishment in 1911, the University of Hong Kong has shouldered the pivotal role of nurturing countless "doctors of medicine, scientific engineers, and trained administrators" - leaders and talents who made, and continue to make, immeasurable contributions to our nation and city. Throughout the 111 years, the University keeps scaling new heights in upgrading its hardware and software. From the Main Building and Old Halls to the Centennial Campus, the University has expanded its footprint to meet the ever-evolving teaching and research needs of its faculty and students. Today marks yet another page of the University's campus development with the groundbreaking of the Tech Landmark, the University's state-of-the-art headquarters of InnoTech Research. Tech Landmark, a cluster of four towers, is scheduled to open in 2024. It will be home to 12 world-class, interdisciplinary institutes, with their disciplines ranging from smart cities, artificial intelligence and biomedical engineering to quantum science, fintech and ageing. A remarkable feat by itself, the Tech Landmark is but one part of the University's grand plan, which will also see the development of a new Pokfield Campus and the expansion of the Medical Campus. These new developments will surely help the University position itself at the forefront of developing Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology hub, a role supported by the National 14th Five-Year Plan. In his important speech delivered in Hong Kong on July 1, President Xi Jinping highlighted the importance of our young people. The President said, and I quote, "Hong Kong will prosper only when its young people thrive; Hong Kong will develop only when its young people achieve well-rounded development; and Hong Kong will have a bright future only when its young people have a good career prospect." Our universities share the important mission of nurturing a thriving generation of young people for Hong Kong and our nation. The Government will render our fullest support to the development of our universities, and we look towards our universities in working with us to discharge this important responsibility bestowed upon us. I believe in our youth. In our universities. In you. And I am confident that the Tech Landmark will help Hong Kong's rise, in concert with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, as an international I&T hub. After all, in this - and much more - we have the full support of our nation. Ladies and gentlemen, a bright future awaits us. Let us join hands and embark on an exciting new chapter for Hong Kong and our nation. Thank you. Ends/Saturday, July 23, 2022 Issued at HKT 14:14 NNNN