The Hong Kong prize aims to promote the advancement of the science and technology in the territory, as well as serve the country. It is an annual award given to scientific researchers in Hong Kong, who are judged on the basis of their contributions to Hong Kong and China. In addition to the prize money, the winners receive an engraved medal and a trophy. They are also given the opportunity to present their research in a forum.
The prize is hosted by the Hong Kong Alliance of Technology and Innovation, and sponsored by Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited. It is a non-governmental merit-based award, with the goal of rewarding outstanding scientists and research teams from Hong Kong or research-related institutions set up by Hong Kong higher education institutions and located in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area.
Those who are awarded the hongkong prize have been recognized for their outstanding research in various fields, such as artificial intelligence and robotics, life and health, new materials and new energy, advanced manufacturing and FinTech. They are chosen based on their scientific achievements and the transformation and social value created by their research.
The awards have been a boost for the scientific and technological environment in Hong Kong, making it an international hub of innovative research. The prizes are highly prestigious, and the winners have received accolades from around the world.
They have also become a focus of criticism, with some saying the hongkong prize is being used as propaganda against China and that it has not been fair to the winners. One example was a photo of a bleeding man attacked by a masked protester in Mong Kok, which won the second prize in the category for photography at the Hong Kong prize ceremony. The image was widely criticised on Weibo and social media as it implied that people from mainland China or those with different political opinions in Hong Kong are not welcome in the city.
Other criticisms include that the hongkong prize has not been transparent enough about the selection process, and there are too many restrictions on who can participate. Applicants must be under the age of 50 and submit their work in one of the award fields. In addition, no more than five people can win each award field, and the same person cannot receive a prize twice within 5 years. Those who are convicted of a crime will be banned from applying for the prize. There is also a requirement for winners to sign an agreement to not engage in controversial activities. The hongkong prize is also not open to foreigners. The hongkong prize is now under pressure to be reformed to avoid such controversy in the future. The Hong Kong prize organisers have promised to review the awards and make changes in 2022. They will also hold a forum on the topic of freedom of expression and free speech. This will be held in conjunction with the ICAS International Convention of Asia Scholars.
