Media OutReach
Cyberport and International Organisations Co-host “AI Safety, Trust, and Responsibility” Forum
WDTA APAC Institute Inaugurated to Lead AI Governance and Standards Development
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 February 2025 – Cyberport, the World Digital Technology Academy (WDTA) and the International Academicians Science & Technology Innovation Centre (IASTIC) co-organised the “AI Safety, Trust, and Responsibility (AI STR)” Forum. This event served as the Hong Kong session of the recently concluded AI Action Summit 2025 in Paris, France. The forum convened leading international and local academicians, scholars, industry leaders, and experts to share insights on the risks and challenges in AI development and application, and to discuss strategies for balancing innovation with security governance. Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; Prof Yale Li, Executive Chairman of WDTA; Prof C.C. Chan, Founder of IASTIC, joined Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, and Dr Rocky Cheng, CEO of Cyberport, in delivering keynote addresses and sharing their perspectives on the future of AI.
Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, remarked, “To provide the most conducive environment for AI development, Cyberport, being Hong Kong’s digital tech hub, established the AI Supercomputing Centre last year, which will provide high-performance computing power of 3,000 petaFLOPS to support impactful R&D projects on AI. As announced yesterday by the Financial Secretary in the 2025-26 Budget, to establish the Hong Kong AI R&D Institute. A dedicated, public mission-driven undertaking, the institute will spearhead AI development and industry application in Hong Kong, promote cross-sectoral collaboration, and add another exciting chapter in our AI history book. We are mindful of the safety, responsibility and trust issues that beset the AI explorers and users. We could only harness the full power and potentials of AI by addressing these contentious issues proactively.”
Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, expressed, “We are delighted to bring together prominent industry experts and leaders from around the world at Cyberport to explore the establishment of a trustworthy and responsible AI ecosystem. This will ensure the controllable, balanced, and sustainable development of this transformative technology. As Hong Kong’s digital tech hub and AI accelerator, Cyberport has achieved significant milestones in building a thriving AI ecosystem over the past year. These include Cyberport’s AI Supercomputing Centre, currently the largest in Hong Kong, and Cyberport’s AI Lab, which unites local AI ecosystem partners and talents to facilitate R&D and collaboration. We look forward to continuing our collaboration across sectors to strengthen Hong Kong’s AI ecosystem and promote AI for good.”
During the forum, WDTA announced the establishment of the “WDTA Asia-Pacific Institute (preparatory)” (The Institute) at Cyberport, marked by an official plaque unveiling ceremony. The Institute will spearhead the development of regional AI safety standards and related initiatives, promote innovation in digital technologies, cultivate scientific and industrial talent, and foster global collaboration in the digital era.
Prof. Yale Li, Executive Chairman of WDTA, addresses the forum, highlighting WDTA’s recent accomplishments and emphasising the importance of a human-centric and safety-based approach to AI. He outlined three core initiatives: First, to build a “safety-native” technological framework by embedding security throughout the entire AI lifecycle and promoting algorithm transparency and data provenance certification. Second, to establish a “human-oriented” value system that ensures technology addresses social needs, such as equitable healthcare and SME transformation. Finally, WDTA is committed to “responsible innovation” globally, with its AI committee addressing challenges like deepfakes and data misuse within the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals framework.
Prof. Li officially launched two WDTA certification programs for AI professionals: the “Certified Large Language Model Application Engineer (LLMAE)” and the “Certified Large Language Model Technical Expert (LLMTE)”. These programs are designed to accelerate the training of the next generation of AI professionals, equipping them with both technical expertise and a sense of social responsibility to promote the safety, trust, and responsible development of AI. Prof. Li emphasized, “These certification programs represent a significant step by WDTA to advance global AI talent development. We must establish technical standards and cultivate professionals who embody the principles of ‘human-oriented and safety-based’ to ensure that technological advancements truly benefit society.”
Prof. Ching-chuen Chan, Founder of IASTIC, stated, “As a global innovation hub, Hong Kong is an ideal platform to advance AI governance and collaboration. The WDTA will adhere to the core principles of ‘Speed, Safety, and Sharing’, and leverage The Institute to accelerate collaboration among governments, industries, and academia in the APAC. This will facilitate the formulation of digital technology standards and the transformation of cutting-edge research into practical applications. We will lead the establishment of AI STR standards and certification systems, enhancing the international framework for AI governance and security. By working together across industries and borders, we can achieve an inclusive digital future where no one is left behind.”
At the forum, Cyberport signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with WDTA and IASTIC, under which the three parties will join hands to promote best practices in AI STR testing and evaluation. They will work together to actively cultivate AI talent and explore collaboration in the development of AI testing infrastructure. Cyberport also signed MoUs with five local tertiary institutions: the University of Hong Kong (HKU), the City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), the Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU), the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi), and the Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology (HKIIT). These partnerships aim to foster AI-related applied research and talent development. These partnerships will provide students at the partner institutions with internships and employment opportunities, injecting new forces into Hong Kong’s AI industry and accelerating its growth.
In addition to leading AI academics and experts, the forum also brought together leaders from Hong Kong’s public, financial, and healthcare sectors to share their valuable insights and practical experiences on topics such as cross-industry AI transformation and balancing AI innovation with risk. They discussed how to leverage AI to enhance efficiency, improve service quality, and address emerging challenges in their respective fields, while ensuring the responsible use of AI.
As Hong Kong’s digital tech hub and AI accelerator, Cyberport is committed to building a thriving local AI ecosystem. The Cyberport’s Artificial Intelligence Supercomputing Centre (AISC), the largest of this kind in Hong Kong, and the AI Lab, officially commenced operations last year, bringing together talents and innovation resources from mainland and overseas to support innovative R&D and applications across the AI value chain, driving industrialisation. The Government has allocated $3 billion to Cyberport for the launch of a three-year AI Subsidy Scheme to support local institutions, R&D centres and enterprises in utilising the AISC computing power to achieve scientific breakthroughs and accelerate the commercialisation of I&T. Cyberport is home to over 350 start-ups specialising in AI and big data, and has attracted leading AI enterprises to combine their R&D capabilities in computing power development, large model construction, algorithms, and data science, to promote AI-driven innovation and application.
Hashtag: #Cyberport
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About Cyberport
Cyberport is Hong Kong’s digital technology flagship and incubator for entrepreneurship with over 2,200 members including over 900 onsite and over 1,200 offsite start-ups and technology companies. It is managed by Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, wholly owned by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, and committed to the vision to inject new impetus into digital economy and smart city development through innovation and technology, and to connect enterprises to Mainland China and overseas markets. Cyberport strives to nurture a vibrant tech ecosystem by cultivating talents, promoting entrepreneurship among the youth, supporting start-ups, fostering technology industry development by promoting strategic collaboration with local, Mainland Chinese and international partners, and integrating new and traditional economies by accelerating digital transformation in public and private sectors.
For more information, please visit 
www.cyberport.hk
About World Digital Technology Academy (WDTA)
The World Digital Technology Academy (WDTA) is an innovative, international research organization (NGO) established in April 2023 under the auspices of the United Nations. WDTA is dedicated to driving transformative progress in digital technology worldwide, building a safer, more efficient, and collaborative global digital ecosystem. We aim to accelerate the development of the digital economy and ensure that digital technologies benefit all of humanity. WDTA has released three AI STR standards, including the “Safety Testing Standard for Generative AI Applications,” the “Safety Testing Method for Large Language Models,” and “Supply Chain Security Requirements for Large Models.”
For more information, please visit https://wdtacademy.org
About International Academicians Science & Technology Innovation Centre (IASTIC)
The International Academicians Science & Technology Innovation Centre (IASTIC) was co-founded in Hong Kong by Professor C.C. Chan, a distinguished figure as an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, and the Founding and Rotating Chairman of the World Electric Vehicle Association. He was joined by several Nobel laureates and numerous leading international and Chinese academicians. Over the past eight years, IASTIC has expanded its global reach, establishing eight branch centres in countries including Germany, Canada, Sweden, Turkey, Israel, South Korea, Japan, and the United States.
IASTIC’s approach is built on a philosophy of innovation that integrates diverse technologies, complementary business models across industries, and multi-faceted research and development. Our mission is to foster a global ecosystem for scientific and technological innovation, creating an international hub where industry, academia, and research converge. We aim to establish market-driven operations with synergistic business models and promote sustainable, green development worldwide, fostering harmony between people and the environment.
Media OutReach
The 1st Taiwan International Plant-Based Festival Launches in Singapore: Showcasing Taiwan’s Sustainable and Creative Farming and Aesthetics Through Mango Pineapples and Orchids
The Ministry of Agriculture stated that the festival’s first wave debuted from May 30 to June 1 during the “2026 Singapore Vesak Day Celebrations”. In partnership with Fo Guang Shan (Singapore), this initiative successfully integrated Taiwanese agricultural products into a religious, cultural, and festive setting for a cross-domain showcase. The event especially highlighted Taiwan’s new agricultural innovation, the “Mango Pineapple (Tainung No. 23)“. Celebrated for its delicate flesh and intense aroma, it blends a tropical mango-like fragrance with the perfect sweet-and-sour pineapple flavor, demonstrating Taiwan’s achievements in fruit breeding and quality research. On-site tasting sessions drew crowds of local residents, allowing Singaporean consumers to directly experience the sweet, juicy, and distinctive charm of Taiwan’s mango pineapples.
In addition to the featured fruits, Taiwanese floriculture emerged as a major highlight of the event. Premium Taiwanese Phalaenopsis (moth orchids) adorned the official Vesak Day banquet venue, with their elegant shapes, diverse colors, and exceptional longevity, proudly demonstrating the global competitiveness of Taiwan’s orchid industry in breeding and cultivation. Concurrently, Taiwanese Oncidium orchids—also known as dancing lady orchids—were seamlessly integrated into the decor at Fo Guang Shan (Singapore). This harmony of floral artistry and festive space beautifully presented a refined, elegant, and culturally rich aesthetic image of Taiwanese agriculture.
The Ministry of Agriculture noted that Singapore is Taiwan’s 9th-largest export market for agricultural products, with the export value reaching USD 130 million in 2025 (Year 114), making it a vital hub for Taiwan’s expansion into Southeast Asia and global high-end markets. The “Taiwan International Plant-Based Festival” is far more than a standard agricultural promotion; it is a premium brand showcase centered on plant-based dining, sustainable agriculture, and exquisite fruits and flowers. Through these festive experiences, culinary applications, and curated exhibitions, the initiative aims to deepen the Singaporean market’s recognition of and appreciation for Taiwanese agricultural products.
Hashtag: #MinistryofAgriculture #YMSpring
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Media OutReach
Vinpearl Expands Partnerships In The Philippines, Strengthening Brand Presence Across Southeast Asia
The MoUs were signed during the Vietnam–Philippines Business Forum, held as part of the official visit by Party General Secretary and President Tô Lâm to the Republic of the Philippines.
The partnership with CAITO aims to enhance Vinpearl’s brand awareness within the Philippines’ travel trade community while creating additional opportunities to develop hospitality, entertainment and MICE offerings in Nha Trang, Phu Quoc and Da Nang. CAITO is currently one of the Philippines’ leading tourism organizations, with an extensive network of travel businesses across the region.
With Klook, one of Asia’s leading travel experience platforms, Vinpearl and VinWonders aim to expand their strategic collaboration across distribution, communications and tourism promotion in key international markets, particularly the Philippines and broader Southeast Asia. The partnership is expected to expand the presence of the Vinpearl–VinWonders ecosystem in major international markets, while further elevating Vietnam’s tourism image across global travel and digital media platforms.
Ms. Ngo Thi Huong, Chief Executive Officer of Vinpearl, shared: “Through these agreements in the Philippines, alongside a series of partnership initiatives in Thailand and Singapore, Vinpearl aims to drive high-quality inbound tourism to Vietnam, strengthen connectivity among ASEAN markets, and enhance the competitiveness of Vietnam’s tourism industry. With an integrated ecosystem spanning hospitality, entertainment, golf, and commercial services, Vinpearl remains committed to pioneering world-class experiences that contribute to positioning Vietnam as a leading destination in the Asia-Pacific region.”
Mr. Michelle Ho, Chief Executive Officer of Klook Philippines, said: “Vinpearl currently operates one of the region’s most distinctive tourism and entertainment ecosystems, with strong capabilities in integrating hospitality, theme parks and premium leisure experiences. We believe our partnership with Vinpearl will further enhance the appeal of Nha Trang, Phu Quoc and Da Nang among travelers across the region.”
Previously, during its business engagements in Thailand and Singapore, Vinpearl also entered into MoUs with Agoda, AirAsia MOVE, BeMyGuest and GlobalTix to expand international distribution channels for its hospitality, resort and travel experience offerings.
Together with the agreements established in the Philippines, this series of partnerships with leading regional players across aviation, travel trade, digital tourism, and travel distribution reflects Vinpearl’s ongoing efforts to build a comprehensive international market development network across Southeast Asia.
Beyond expanding its partner ecosystem, these collaborations provide a foundation for Vinpearl to strengthen its presence in key markets, engage more effectively with international travelers, and enhance the competitiveness of Vietnam’s tourism industry within the region.
Hashtag: #Vinpearl
https://vinpearl.com/enThe issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About CAITO
CAITO (Calabarzon Alliance of Independent Tour Operators, Inc.) ONE CALABARZON is an association of independent travel businesses and tourism partners in the Philippines, established in 2020. With a rapidly expanding member network and close collaboration with the Philippines Department of Tourism (DOT), CAITO has become one of the country’s most dynamic tourism organizations, playing an active role in tourism promotion, business connectivity and international collaboration, particularly in the areas of MICE and B2B. The organization is anchored in a vision to promote Philippine destinations, tourism products, cultural heritage, cuisine, and services while strengthening the country’s tourism identity through collaboration, shared promotion, and collective growth.
About Klook
Klook is one of the leading travel experience platforms in the Asia-Pacific region, offering attractions, tours, transportation, accommodation, and travel services on a global scale. To date, Klook has recorded more than 65 million bookings across over 200 markets, supporting more than 40 payment methods alongside e-ticketing services and 24/7 customer support.
The platform currently operates a community of more than 30,000 content creators across 88 markets, helping promote tourism and inspire exploration for millions of travelers worldwide.
About Vinpearl
Vinpearl is Vietnam’s leading tourism, hospitality and entertainment brand, currently operating 60 properties across 20 provinces and cities nationwide. Its ecosystem includes a network of five-star hotels and resorts with more than 17,500 rooms; 16 VinWonders theme parks offering a wide range of attractions for all audiences; six world-class golf courses; and three international-standard convention centers and theaters under the VinPalace brand. The ecosystem also features two semi-wildlife conservation and care parks, an equestrian academy, and million-dollar live-action shows in Nha Trang and Phu Quoc, attracting millions of visitors each year.
Following a rigorous global search, Prof. Li was selected for his exceptional track record in academic leadership, medical education, and biomedical innovation, as well as his unique experience in founding a new medical school.
Prof. Li previously served as Founding Dean of the Carle Illinois College of Medicine at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) from 2016 to 2021—one of the world’s pioneering engineering-based medical schools. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in developing a technology-oriented curriculum, recruiting founding faculty, and building academic-clinical partnerships. Under his leadership, the College’s early graduating cohorts achieved a 100% pass rate in licensing examinations, reflecting the outstanding quality and rigorous standards of the programme.
An internationally distinguished physician-scientist and biomedical innovator, Prof. Li currently holds the titles of Dean Emeritus and Professor Emeritus at the Carle Illinois College of Medicine, as well as Adjunct Professor of Radiology at Stanford University School of Medicine. His career spans leading institutions including Stanford University, the U.S. National Institutes of Health, Weill Cornell Medical College, Wake Forest School of Medicine, and UIUC. He holds a Doctor of Medicine (with Honours) from the University of Toronto and an MBA from San José State University.
Prof. Li’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment as HKUST advances its plans to establish a new School of Medicine. The School will offer a four-year graduate-entry MBBS programme, with its inaugural cohort expected to commence in the 2028/29 academic year.
His experience aligns closely with HKUST’s vision to develop a future-ready medical school that integrates clinical excellence with engineering, data science, and emerging technologies. His proven approach to training physician-innovators—combining strong clinical foundations with interdisciplinary expertise—will provide a robust foundation for the School’s development, while being adapted to HKUST’s unique strengths in science and technology.
Known for his commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, Prof. Li has consistently bridged fields such as radiology, bioengineering, computer science, and nanotechnology—an approach that will be instrumental in shaping HKUST’s innovative model of medical education.
Beyond medical education, Prof. Li is a highly accomplished innovator. He is a Fellow of the US National Academy of Inventors and has received the Gold Medal of the Association of University Radiologists. He is also a Fellow of several leading professional bodies, including the American College of Radiology, the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, and the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. He holds 20 issued patents across the United States, Australia, and Europe, and has founded a company based on his translational research.
Prof. Harry SHUM, Chairman of HKUST Council, said, “I would like to extend my warmest welcome to Prof. Li on his appointment as our Founding Dean of the School of Medicine. His proven expertise and experience are invaluable to the University as we plan to develop a distinctive model of medical education for the future. We have full confidence in his exceptional leadership in spearheading our medical school, which is one of the most significant undertakings in HKUST’s 35‑year history. The Council is committed to giving its support to ensure the success of the School.”
Prof. Nancy IP, President of HKUST, said, “Prof. Li brings a rare combination of founding dean experience, academic excellence, and a forward-looking vision for technology-driven medical education. His leadership will be central to building a medical school that is globally competitive, locally relevant, and impactful for Hong Kong and the wider region. We warmly welcome Prof. Li to the University and look forward to his leadership in the establishment of the HKUST School of Medicine, as well as in shaping a new generation of medical professionals and advancing innovation in healthcare. I also extend our sincere appreciation to the Search Committee, chaired by Ms. Edith SHIH (Vice-Chairperson of the Council), and its members including Prof. FOK Tai-Fai and Prof. Raymond LIANG for their dedication and diligence in completing this important international recruitment process.”
Prof. King Li, Founding Dean of the School of Medicine, said,”I am deeply honoured to be appointed as the Founding Dean of HKUST’s new School of Medicine. Returning to Hong Kong—where my roots are—to take on this role at HKUST and having the chance to give back through the place I grew up, is deeply meaningful to me. HKUST has a remarkable track record of turning bold visions into reality, and I am excited to build a medical school that reimagines physician training through the integration of engineering, data science, and biomedical innovation. Drawing on my experience and working closely with our partners in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, I look forward to nurturing a new generation of physician-innovators who will transform healthcare for the benefit of patients and society.”
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Prof. Li brings with him a strong personal commitment to advancing Hong Kong as an international hub for medical education and innovation. He has long-standing ties with the local academic and medical communities.
The University community is expected to provide its full support to Prof. Li as he expands partnerships with teaching hospitals, the government, industry, and the global medical community, and further strengthens connections with the Greater Bay Area and other regions.
Hashtag: #HKUST
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About The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) (
https://hkust.edu.hk/) is a world-class university known for its innovative education, research excellence, and impactful knowledge transfer. With a holistic and interdisciplinary pedagogy approach, HKUST was ranked 6th in the QS Asia University Rankings 2026, 3rd in the Times Higher Education’s Young University Rankings 2024, and 19th globally and 1st in Hong Kong in the Times Higher Education’s Impact Rankings 2025. Eleven HKUST subjects were ranked among the world’s top 50 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. In addition, in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2026, HKUST’s Computer Science discipline which encompasses areas such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, has been ranked No. 1 in Hong Kong for ten consecutive years. Our graduates are highly competitive, consistently ranking among the world’s top 30 most sought-after employees. In terms of research and entrepreneurship, over 80% of our work was rated “internationally excellent” or “world leading” in the Research Assessment Exercise 2020 of the Hong Kong’s University Grants Committee. As of May 2026, HKUST members have founded over 1,900 active start-ups, including 11 Unicorns and 22 exits (IPO or M&A).
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