China International College Students Innovation Contest in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong-Macau regional competition of the 2025 China International College Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition unfolded on August 12 and 13 at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. The event was graced by the presence of Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee and Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng, both of whom addressed participants during the "Intelligent Medicine" group activities on the morning of the 13th.

John Lee emphasized that this marks the inaugural occasion for the competition to be hosted in Hong Kong as a regional event for both Hong Kong and Macao. He underscored the significance placed by the central government on fostering youth engagement and scientific innovation in the region. Lee expressed his hopes that students from both areas would harness national development opportunities and integrate innovative concepts into the growth of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

In his remarks, Huai Jinpeng highlighted the evolution and success of the competition under the guidance of General Secretary Xi Jinping's significant contributions. He stated that the competition has become a vital platform for innovation and entrepreneurship across numerous countries and educational institutions. The introduction of a regional competition for Hong Kong and Macao aims to enhance its influence and leverage the unique advantages inherent to these regions.

Huai Jinpeng encouraged the youth from Hong Kong and Macau to heed General Secretary Xi Jinping’s aspirations, urging them to embrace a sense of belonging to both the nation and family. He stressed the importance of focusing on national interests, contributing to the motherland's development, and utilizing their academic and innovative skills to further national strategies and societal growth.

Additionally, he called on young innovators to transcend traditional boundaries, pursue excellence, and embody the spirit of scientific inquiry. He emphasized the need for open-mindedness and international collaboration, advocating that students use competitive opportunities to engage in joint innovation and teamwork, thereby marking a new chapter in innovation for their generation.

The competition witnessed participation from 21 universities across Hong Kong, presenting 244 projects and involving 927 students, while 6 universities from Macao showcased 171 projects with 860 students. Following rigorous evaluations, 31 projects from six universities in Hong Kong, such as the University of Hong Kong, and 16 projects from four Macao universities, including the University of Macau, progressed to the regional competition.

Standout projects included the "Nanopore Biochemical Single Molecule Detection Platform" from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, which secured first place in the Life Sciences category, and the "Smart Future" initiative from the University of Hong Kong, taking the top spot in Artificial Intelligence. City University of Hong Kong's "Hopcopter - The Best Jumping Robot in the World" clinched first place in New Engineering, while Macao’s City University achieved success with the "‘black--Fire’ Ultra High Temperature Non-Flammable Materials" project in New Materials.

This event attracted officials from the Ministry of Education, the Hong Kong SAR Government, the Central Government Liaison Office, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and South China University of Technology, along with participating educators and students, marking a significant moment in fostering innovation across these regions.