Policy Address to unveil new space tech funding round
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong’s 2026 Policy Address, due next Wednesday alongside the city’s first five-year plan, is expected to include a new round of the Innovation and Technology Commission’s special call for space technology projects. The reported focus is research linked to national space missions, including satellite technology and space exploration instruments. The move would build on earlier government-backed aerospace projects involving local universities and research platforms. The Insurance Authority is also said to be studying the commercial space insurance market and Hong Kong’s possible market role
Key Points
- Sing Tao reported that the new Policy Address will announce another “special call” for space technology projects to align with the national 15th Five-Year Plan goal of building China into a space power
- The Innovation and Technology Commission previously launched a space-technology special call in July 2024, approving six university-led research projects with total funding of more than HK$100 million
- One funded project was the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology-led greenhouse gas detector “Tianyun Camera”, operated on the Tiangong space station by Hong Kong payload specialist Lai Ka-ying, described as “made in Hong Kong, operated by Hong Kong”
- Under the InnoHK research platform, the Hong Kong Space Robotics and Energy Centre has been set up under HKUST’s lead, while a Space Manufacturing Technology Innovation Centre was also established under the third InnoHK platform
- Lawmaker Duncan Chiu, representing the technology and innovation sector, said a new funding round would help universities join national aerospace projects, while commercial space insurance could support low-earth-orbit microsatellite launches and attract investors
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong, the proposal points to a more structured role in national aerospace work through university research, applied technology development and related financial services. If pursued, it could connect the city’s research base with new business opportunities, especially in insurance and other professional services linked to commercial space activity