Hong Kong to host Asia’s premier tech summit for next 5 years, with RISE Conference back next March

It is unclear how international delegates will be able to attend annual RISE Conference next March if stringent border control measures remain in place

Surprise announcement comes nine months after Kuala Lumpur was picked to host event, which brings together chief executives, start-ups and investors

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The annual RISE Conference has been held in Hong Kong since being founded in 2015. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Published: 11:20pm, 2 Sep 2021Updated: 12:09am, 3 Sep 2021

Hong Kong has been chosen to host Asia’s premier tech conference for the next five years, with the government and industry chiefs hailing the decision as evidence of the city’s success in containing the coronavirus pandemic and a boost for the convention sector.

But it remains unclear how international delegates will be able to attend the annual RISE Conference next March if stringent border control measures remain in place, as the summit organiser said quarantine exemptions were not part of the deal.

Thursday’s surprise announcement came nine months after Kuala Lumpur was picked in December to host the event, which brings together chief executives, start-ups and investors.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board and conference organiser Web Summit said RISE would be held for five years starting in March as an in-person event that promised 10,000 attendees.

Commerce chief Edward Yau. Photo: Sam Tsang

Web Summit spokeswoman Katherine Farrell said Malaysia was no longer a feasible location because of logistical issues.