The hongkong prize honours the best work of individuals and organisations in a range of fields. Its winners are not only distinguished in their respective fields, but also act as a source of pride and inspiration for the Chinese nation.
HKUST researchers have submitted an unprecedented number of applications this year, with record high numbers of proposals in artificial intelligence and robotics, life and health, new materials and energy, advanced manufacturing and fintech. The top five winners in each award field will receive a cash prize of HK$200,000, a certificate and a trophy.
This is the second time that the award has been presented. It honours outstanding works of fiction or non-fiction authored by a person residing in or who has lived in Hong Kong for at least 10 years and published in English. The winning entry should show a high level of literary achievement and contribute to the development of Hong Kong literature.
In the film category, acclaimed director Nick Cheuk and actress Rachel Leung received multiple awards including Best New Director and Best Actress respectively for their films A Guilty Conscience and Mad Fate. Meanwhile, police thriller Port of Call picked up seven prizes including Best Actor for Aaron Kwok and Best Newcomer for Jessie Li.
At the ceremony, Deputy Chief Secretary for Education and Social Welfare Gabriel Lee said the winners of this year’s hongkong prize were outstanding examples of people who showcased the Chinese nation in a positive light worldwide. He urged them to continue their pursuit of excellence, and to use their talents and experiences to empower others. “Hong Kong, as a highly open and cosmopolitan city, will continue to nurture local talent and attract global talent to foster humanistic exchanges and drive synergistic regional development,” he added. Applicants from Southeast Asia, mainland China and other parts of the world can apply for the prize starting March 1 through its website. They will be selected in three waves, with the first wave of winners to be announced in June and the final winner to be revealed in November. Each successful applicant will win a free ticket to travel to Hong Kong for the awards ceremony and visit some of its most iconic sites, such as Victoria Peak and the iconic skyline. The finalists will also attend workshops hosted by experts and receive business coaching from renowned Hong Kong entrepreneurs. All winners will have the opportunity to showcase their work in the Hong Kong Prize Expo, a major international exhibition and platform for science and technology research results and innovation to be shared. The Expo will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from July 30 to August 2. It is free for all participants to attend. The Expo is organised by the Society for Hong Kong Studies. It is supported by the Hong Kong Government and The Bank of China. The Society is a registered charity. It is a member of the International Convention of Asia Scholars (ICAS) and holds the IBP 2023 Best Article on Global Hong Kong Studies award.