Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in Hong Kong shares insights into development of the innovation ecosystem in Belt and Road region at PolyU PReCIT Consul General Talk

The Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) hosted the fifth talk in the “Consul General Talk Series”, which featured a keynote address by Mr Kerim Sercan EVCIN, Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Themed “More BRI Engagement in Regional Changing Innovation Ecosystem,” the talk attracted a diverse audience of academics, students, and the general public. The talk was supported by the Department of Applied Social Sciences and Global Engagement Office of PolyU.

The talk was also attended by distinguished guests including Mr Nicholas HO, Commissioner for Belt and Road of the Government of HKSAR, and Mr Uğur Öztürk, Consul of the Republic of Türkiye in HKSAR, together with Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Director of PReCIT; Prof. Geoffrey SHEN, PolyU Associate Vice President (Global Partnerships); and Dr Laura LO, PolyU Associate Vice President (Institutional Advancement).

In his remark, Mr Nicholas Ho emphasised that innovation and technology is at the core of Hong Kong’s future and the City’s cental role in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Mr Ho mentioned that Hong Kong is collaborating on I&T development with other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, bringing together Hong Kong’s solid R&D capabilities and other cities’ prowess in innovation and advanced manufacturing, to unleash the potential of new quality productive forces. He also said that Hong Kong stands ready to collaborate with Türkiye to embrace new technologies and digital infrastructure.

Mr Kerim Sercan Evcin took the stage to discuss the strategic role of Türkiye in the BRI and its implications for the regional innovation landscape. Mr Evcin also shared insightful views on potential areas of cooperation for further engagement between Türkiye and Hong Kong, and how Türkiye and Hong Kong can play an important role in each other’s development.

Prof. Eric CHUI, Head of Department of Applied Social Sciences and Co-Director of PReCIT, highlighted the importance of international collaboration in fostering innovation. He said, “As an active participant in BRI, Türkiye has emerged as one of the important players in this transformative project. With its strategic geographic location and its emphasis on trade and economic cooperation, Türkiye has also become a vital link connecting Europe to Asia. Türkiye’s involvement in the BRI has opened up exceptional opportunities for economic growth and technological advancements.”

A Turkish PolyU student, Dora Saylıkoğlu, was also invited to speak at the talk. He introduced some aspects of Turkish culture and also shared his enjoyable moments in Hong Kong with all the participants.

The Consul General Talk Series is a testament to PolyU’s commitment to global engagement and intellectual exchange. Facilitating the sharing of perspectives by Hong Kong-based diplomats, the series serves as a platform for the PolyU community and the general public to gain insights into the latest I&T policies and prospects in the Belt and Road countries, and paves the way for meaningful partnerships.