Shang Hailong delivered a keynote speech at the conference. Photo by Ma Xiaofang, Reporter of Hong Kong Wen Wei Po
Hong Kong Wen Wei Po (Reporter Ma Xiaofang from Beijing) The Beijing-Hong Kong-Macau Sci-Fi Integration Forum of the 8th China Science Fiction Convention 2024 was held at Shougang Park in Beijing on the afternoon of the 28th. Professional representatives from Beijing, Hong Kong, and Macau discussed the future of science fiction together. Shang Hailong, a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong and Founding President of the Hong Kong Top Talent Services Association, told the reporter of Hong Kong Wen Wei Po at the forum that Beijing and Hong Kong should be connected to gather talents to jointly promote the development of the sci-fi industry. "Wuxia is Chinese-style sci-fi, and Beijing and Hong Kong can join hands to build a sci-fi future with national characteristics." Sci-fi writer Liu Cixin believes that the greatest hope for the continuation of mankind is technological progress. "Looking back a hundred years later, now is the beginning of change."
"Beijing and Hong Kong should treat sci-fi industrialization as a very important topic for serious discussion." Shang Hailong believes that Hong Kong's sci-fi industrialization started with Disneyland, and Hong Kong Disneyland is a milestone for Hong Kong's tourism industry. There are many directions for sci-fi industrialization, and theme parks are one of the good directions because they can carry many people's dreams and bring people an immersive experience of dreams coming true. He stated that Hong Kong has a profound foundation in scientific research and has also produced sci-fi masters like Ni Kuang. "I even think Jin Yong is also a sci-fi writer, and Wuxia is Chinese-style sci-fi."
Advocating for Mainland-Hong Kong Youth Sci-Fi Exchange
Shang Hailong pointed out that the mainland has a huge carrying capacity, and Hong Kong has a very good scientific foundation and sci-fi culture. The mainland and Hong Kong should jointly build a future of sci-fi development with national characteristics. Hong Kong should play more roles in external circulation and undertake a pivot point for domestic and international dual circulation. "Science fiction is a very universal language of dialogue that connects people's hearts. We should promote sci-fi exchanges between young people in the mainland and Hong Kong." He said that the thinking of young people is very similar. The more sci-fi interactions there are, the more misunderstandings can be reduced and understanding enhanced. At the same time, it can also enhance Hong Kong youth's confidence in the development of the motherland. Young people from Hong Kong and the mainland join hands to imagine a better tomorrow for the motherland and use the power of "One Country, Two Systems" to integrate Chinese and Western cultures. "We must promote the collision of ideas among young people in many places so that science fiction can develop better, allowing more and more Chinese-style sci-fi products to land and go to the world with the help of the Hong Kong bridge."
Liu Cixin stated at the Science Fiction Convention that predicting the future is very difficult. "Predictions of the future in the past were rarely accurate." He pointed out that the rapid development of information technology has more or less covered up the rapid development in other fields, expecting major breakthroughs in fields other than information technology, such as energy and materials. He predicted, "The providers of cultural products in the future may completely disappear!"
Popular science is the scientific cornerstone of science fiction, and science fiction is the wings of popular science. The Beijing-Hong Kong-Macau region has a complete industrial system and rich talent resources, providing unique conditions for technological innovation and the development of the sci-fi industry. Participants hope that sci-fi creation in the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macau region will flourish, providing a steady stream of creativity and inspiration for technological innovation, cultivating more scientific and technological talents with innovative spirit and practical ability, and continuously providing strong support for the high-quality development of the sci-fi industry. Beijing, Hong Kong, and Macau, with the help of technological innovation and sci-fi industry development, keep up with the pace of the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, and work together to build new formats and new models of high-tech industrial cooperation that meet the characteristics of the new era.
Source: https://www.tkww.hk/epaper/view/newsDetail/1784647424023859200.html