EVENTS
Event Highlights
MSRS Hosted “Seminar on The New Space Economy – Breakthroughs and Opportunities”
2025-09-16
On 16 September, the Maritime Silk Road Society organized the “Seminar on The New Space Economy – Breakthroughs and Opportunities” to assist Hong Kong to capitalize on the rapid growth of China’s aerospace and commercial space industry and to promote international cooperation in the BRI’s Space Silk Road.
The seminar is a flagship event to mark the 12th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Maritime Silk Road Society. It is sponsored by the Hong Kong Compliance Association Limited and Mr Bernard Chan, Co-Chair of MSRS, and supported by Orion Astropreneur Space Academy.
The opening ceremony was officiated by Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry who presented a keynote speech. He said, "Hong Kong is immensely honoured to participate in national aerospace missions. Research teams from our world-class universities have provided instruments and technical support for lunar and Mars missions, contributing to the country's remarkable aerospace development. A Hong Kong citizen has also been selected as a preparatory astronaut, specifically a payload specialist. This is highly encouraging for our I&T talents, particularly the aerospace community, as we develop into an international I&T centre and support the country’s development into a nation with strong science and technology."
Mrs Regina Ip, Co-Chair of MSRS, expressed gratitude to the sponsors and supporting organizations for their contributions toward making the event a success. She said the seminar is a follow up on the discussions on the at the Global Prosperity Summit held in May. The rapid development of the space economy – estimated by the Space Foundation to be valued at US$570 billion in 2023 – as well as China’s aerospace economy, have sparked much interest in Hong Kong’s business and scientific communities. There is general consensus that there is much Hong Kong can do to support the growth of China’s commercial aerospace economy, and contribute to the peaceful uses of the outer space. The whole idea may also create ample opportunities for young people in Hong Kong.
Four distinguished speakers from mainland China, the United Kingdom and Hong Kong each made a presentation to share their insights on technological and commercial developments in outer space. Dr Anthony Neoh, KC, SC, JP, Co-Chairman, Asian Academy of International Law, spoke on “Hong Kong’s Role in Space Commercialization Opportunities and Strategic Positioning”; Professor Xurong Dong, Dean of School of Aerospace and BDS Technology at Guangdong Industries Polytechnic University, introduced BeiDou system’s application in Belt and Road countries and its role in space economy and recommendations for Hong Kong; Professor Yang Gao, HKUST Director of Centre for AI Robotics in Space Sustainability and Co-Director of Space Science and Technology Institute, spoke on “AI Robotics Fueling a Sustainable Space Economy Opportunities & Risks”; and Ms Katherine Courtney, Chair, Global Network on Sustainability in Space, spoke on “New Space Economy Opportunities & Risks”.
About 100 members of the public from the aerospace industry, universities, research institutes, finance and legal professions, and the consular corps attended the seminar. They shared insights on the emerging demands across scientific research, legal frameworks, commercialization, financing, and insurance, all driven by the space economy's application in fostering new-quality productivity.
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