This year’s Hong Kong Prize winner will be honored with an award of HK$200,000 and have the opportunity to present their research at a local university or institution. A panel of judges will select their winning submission. The competition is open to researchers across Hong Kong and Mainland China; their website contains the criteria for winning submissions; applicants must submit original research that has been published in Hong Kong Journal of Clinical Medicine prior to applying; other forms of articles (review articles or letters to editors) do not qualify.
Professor Wang Gungwu, former Vice-chancellor of the University of Hong Kong, donated money which was matched under Round Six of the Government Matching Scheme and used as part of this award instead of scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate students. It was intended for scholarship use at first; but later changed in order to create this prize to recognize outstanding young scientists establishing themselves in Hong Kong while expanding their research activities here and contributing positively to society and world peace.
Academics and researchers alike have expressed dismay at the prize’s decision to recognize Reuters journalists for their coverage of protests in Hong Kong last year, saying its jury committee was biased against China or Hong Kong police by rewarding photos that can stigmatize and smear China or Hong Kong police. Furthermore, users on Sina Weibo have taken issue with awarding photos which show bloodied people from China being attacked by masked protesters.
Professor Fan Chi-yuan from City University of Hong Kong is part of the Global Scholars for Hong Kong group and an outspoken proponent of freedom of speech, who nominated five Hongkongers from this group for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize due to their outstanding commitment to safeguarding freedoms and fighting for democracy.
The BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize is Hong Kong’s highest scientific award. Established in 2022 by Bank of China (Hong Kong), this annual competition provides scientific recognition. The Prize is administered by an independent Board that includes a Review Committee, Compliance Oversight Team, and Secretariat. The Board is charged with reviewing and interpreting the Charter, suggesting important scientific research fields for THE PRIZE, nominating experts, setting requirements for their nomination, as well as setting professional ethics rules that all personnel involved with THE PRIZE must abide by. Any staff violating its Charter could face disciplinary action while, should necessary, it can withdraw or terminate THE PRIZE award altogether; its decision is final and binding.