Press Release

A delegation from Thomson Reuters visits ASTRI on 13 January 2017

Prof Zhang Du (1st row 7th from the right), Dean of Faculty of Information Technology, Macau University of Science and Technology leads a delegation to visit ASTRI on 13 January 2017

Six Canadian FinTech entrepreneurs along with their respective colleagues visited ASTRI on Thursday, 19 January 2017. The delegation was accompanied by Canada’s Consul and Trade Commissioner in Hong Kong Ms Emily McLaughlin as well as other officials from the Consulate.

Around the world, the Financial Technologies (FinTech) industry is on a roaring boom. A 2016 report by EY predicted that FinTech adoption in Canada could triple within 12 months. This phenomenon reciprocates the fact that growth in FinTech adoption is one of the highest in the world in markers like Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore.

A country that is famous for its advanced nano-technology-research, and for inventing the world’s first quantum-computer and ‘Blackberry’, Canada enjoys a robust technology scene and a strong financial services sector, leading to a FinTech ecosystem conducive to start-ups and technological innovation. The visiting companies presented their FinTech propositions and experience to senior management and experts at ASTRI.

On behalf of ASTRI, Dr Frank Tong – Chief Executive Officer, Dr Meikei Ieong – Chief Technology Officer, Dr Duncan Wong – Vice President of FinTech, Dr James Lei, Acting Director of Intelligent Software and Systems joined other R&D experts to welcome the delegation. Dr Duncan Wong gave an overview of ASTRI and its R&D initiatives including the latest developments in FinTech. After the initial experience sharing session, individual meetings with smaller groups were arranged where the Canadian FinTech entrepreneurs had in-depth discussion with ASTRI’s experts on specific areas of technology development for potential collaboration.

The Canadian Fintech Mission is in the City for the Asia Financial Forum (AFF) 2017 and the FinTech Finals 2017.

 

Canadian Fintech Mission led by Consulate General of Canada in HK visit ASTRI. Dr Frank Tong (1st row: 4th from left), Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI and Ms Emily McLaughlin, Consul & Trade Commissioner, Consulate General of Canada (1st row: 5th from left, Consul & Trade Commissioner)

Delegate from Canadian Fintech Mission introduces the FinTech innovation and solutions to ASTRI representatives

ASTRI is dedicated to the pursuit of innovation through technology. We strive to carry out research and development on advanced Information and Communications Technology (ICT) projects to support Hong Kong SAR Government’s commitment to building Hong Kong as a smart city. According to the World Competitiveness Yearbook, Hong Kong has ranked first globally in technology infrastructure for five consecutive years – we are well positioned to pursue the development of a smart city.

A Smart City Blueprint Consultancy Study Portal has been set up by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) to collect input from the public. The input will help to formulate the blueprint to develop Hong Kong’s smart city blueprint. You are invited to contribute your thoughts and suggestions to transform Hong Kong into a smarter place for living and business.

To access the portal, please visit https://www.smartcity.gov.hk/?lang=en_US

A Thai delegation of public and private sector representatives led by the Kingdom’s Vice Minister for Finance Mr Kiatchai Sophastienphong visited ASTRI on Tuesday, 17 January 2017. Dr Frank Tong Fuk-kay, ASTRI CEO, welcomed the delegates upon their arrival at the institute and provided them with a strategic overview of ASTRI’s R&D and endeavours and technology focus.

The delegation took keen interest in ASTRI’s technology initiatives and R&D facilities especially in the area of Financial Technology (FinTech). The Minister, along with is his entourage, visited the ASTRI Security Lab, Cyber Range Lab, and ASTRI-HKMA Innovation Hub. They witnessed demonstrations of applications developed by ASTRI, that use technologies like Blockchain, facial recognition, behavioural authentication, deep learning, big data, and AI-driven smart investment.

Mr Sophastienphong has led the third high-level Thai delegation to ASTRI in recent times, after senior leaders from the Electronic Transactions Development Agency of Thailand and the country’s central bank ‘Bank of Thailand’ visited the institute in the last quarter of 2016.

The Vice Minister, and most members of the delegation, are in the City to attend the ongoing Asia Financial Forum (AFF) 2017 that’s took place here on 16-17 January 2017. In addition, this year’s AFF event, where some 100 global financial experts explored the theme “Asia: Driving Change, Innovation and Connectivity”, was attended by members of governments, financial and business leaders, policymakers, investors and high net-worth individuals from across Asia and around the world. FinTech – the opportunities and the challenges brought along with it – occupied a prominent space in the topics and discussions throughout the two days of AFF 2017.

The speakers and panellists shared insights into global economic trends, technological developments, as well as investment opportunities in Asia for the coming year. The opening session was attended, among others, by Mr CY Leung, Chief Executive of Hong Kong SAR; Professor KC Chan, Secretary for Financial Services and Treasury; and Mr Vincent HS Lo, Chairman of Hong Kong Trade Development Council. At the opening ceremony of the event, Mr CY Leung mentioned The Hong Kong Monetary Authority, together with ASTRI – the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Institute – has set up a Fintech Innovation Hub for testing industry-wide Fintech solutions.

Mr Kiatchai Sophastienphong (5th from right), Vice Minister for Finance of Thailand leads public and private sector representatives to visit ASTRI

 

The delegation takes keen interest in ASTRI’s technology

Hong Kong and Singapore both strive for excellence in driving technological innovation. The cities are already recognised in the regional map as well as globally as key players in Financial Technologies (FinTech) development. On 11 January 2017, ASTRI received delegations from Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology & Research (A*STAR) and Economic Development Board. The visiting teams had a deep and meaningful discussion exchanging views and experiences.

On behalf of ASTRI, Dr Frank Tong – Chief Executive Officer, Dr Meikei Ieong – Chief Technology Officer, Dr Thomas Liu – Vice President, Intelligent Manufacturing joined other R&D experts to welcome to Singapore delegations led by Mr Lim Chuan Poh – Chairman of A*STAR. Dr Tong gave an overview of ASTRI’s R&D direction and strategies, followed by ASTRI R&D experts’ presentation on initiatives in the area of intelligent manufacturing. The visit is expected to facilitate stronger collaboration between Hong Kong and Singapore in technology development.

Delegates from A*STAR  and Economic Development Board of Singapore visit ASTRI. Mr Lim Chuan Poh (5th from left), Chairman of A*STAR, Singapore and Dr Frank Tong (4th from left), Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI

Mr Lim Chuan Poh (2nd left) introduces A*STAR to  Dr Frank Tong (2nd from right), Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI

The envisaged innovation and technology park at the vast swathe of land of Hong Kong’s Lok Ma Chau loop promises to unlock a world of potential for science and technology endeavours, through joint efforts from the city and Shenzhen. The MOU signed to this effect will lead to strong collaboration between Hong Kong and the Mainland particularly the Pearl River Delta region, driving innovation and promoting technology entrepreneurship. On 11 January 2017, a delegation from Nansha Information Technology Park Post-doc Workstation, led by its Director Mr Li Yuqian, visited ASTRI.

The delegates from Guangzhou were introduced to an overview of ASTRI’s technology strategy and R&D initiatives. They too shared their experience and ideas with ASTRI’s senior executives and R&D experts. A number of demonstrations such as naked-eye 3D technology and 3D machine vision technology were showcased to help the postdoctoral researchers to learn more about ASTRI’s R&D on intelligent manufacturing.  Through this visit, the team had a deeper understanding on ASTRI’s R&D direction and strategies which can foster cooperation and exchange between Hong Kong and Guangdong province.

Delegation from Nansha Information Technology Park Post-doc Workstation visit ASTRI

The delegation looks at the live demo on naked-eye 3D technology

Dr Frank Tong, Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI, was recently interviewed by Yazhou ZhouKan magazine where he introduced the institute’s R&D initiatives on Financial Technologies (FinTech) including applications in Blockchain, cybersecurity, big data and biometric authentication.

To read the full story, please click below:

• Yazhou ZhouKan website
• Yazhou ZhouKan facebook

 

FinTech is an area of growing importance with investment in Asia-Pacific more than quadrupled in 2015 to US$4.3 billion*! The Best FinTech Award aims to recognise the development of FinTech innovations and solutions such as payment solutions, clearing and settlement systems, etc. to enhance operations and foster new modes of business for the financial sector. ASTRI is one of the supporting organisations of Best FinTech Award under the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2017.

The award is open for companies’ enrolment from now to 20 January 2016 (by 12 noon). The award prospectus and application form are available at Hong Kong ICT Awards or HKIB.

We wish you all the best and look forward to your participation in Best FinTech Award.

* Accenture report titled ” Fintech and the evolving landscape: Landing points for the financial services industry.”  

 

Latest and advanced technologies like ultra-high definition spectacles-free 3D display and super-resolution HD-4K technology were showcased by ASTRI and Marvel Digital Limited at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2017 held from 5 to 8 January 2017 in the US city of Las Vegas.

The strategic partners displayed a spectacles-free 3D display that performs real-time 3D conversion. It is based on a hardware platform developed by ASTRI, and delivers significantly faster 3D output compared to conventional 3D displays. The super-resolution-based HD-4K conversion technology can be used in HD and 4K video content production, bringing extraordinary visual experience to the customers.

CES is the world’s largest and most anticipated annual exhibition of consumer electronics technologies. The biggest gathering place for the global consumer technology industry, CES over the years has built its reputation as a proving ground for innovators and breakthrough technologies. Over 170,000 participants attended the 2017 edition of the event.

Mr YK Li (right), Senior Director of Advanced Digital Systems, ASTRI and Dr Herbert Lee (left), Chief Executive Officer, Marvel Digital Limited in CES 2017