Media Statements
PCPD Successfully Holds 30th Anniversary Privacy Protection Summit Over 400 Participants from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and Overseas Gather Together to Witness the Launch of “Hong Kong International Data Privacy Academy”
Date: 16 June 2026
PCPD Successfully Holds 30th Anniversary Privacy Protection Summit
PCPD Successfully Holds 30th Anniversary Privacy Protection Summit
Over 400 Participants from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and Overseas Gather Together to Witness the Launch of “Hong Kong International Data Privacy Academy”
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (the PCPD), established in 1996, celebrates the monumental milestone of its 30th anniversary this year. Under the celebration theme “Protecting Privacy ‧ Embracing Innovation”, the PCPD has introduced a series of commemorative initiatives throughout the year. The highlights include the “PCPD 30th Anniversary Privacy Protection Summit” (the Summit) and the launch ceremony of the “Hong Kong International Data Privacy Academy” (the Academy). The Summit concluded successfully today (16 June), drawing over 400 participants from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and overseas, who gathered together to witness the landmark moment for the PCPD’s 30th anniversary as it embarked on a new chapter in its future development.
The Summit was officiated by the Secretary for Justice of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the HKSAR) (the Secretary for Justice), the Hon Mr Paul LAM Ting-kwok, GBS, SC, JP, who also delivered the opening remarks. Other officiating guests, including the Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR, Dr LI Yongsheng; the Director-General of the Department of Law of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, Mr LIU Chunhua; the Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs of the HKSAR Government (the USCMA), Mr Clement WOO Kin-man, MH, JP; and the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (Privacy Commissioner), Ms Ada CHUNG Lai-ling, SBS, joined the Secretary for Justice in officiating the kick-off ceremony of the Summit and the launch ceremony of the Academy.
In his opening remarks, the Secretary for Justice, the Hon Mr Paul LAM Ting-kwok, GBS, SC, JP, said, “Over the years, the PCPD has performed not only as a regulator, but also as an enabler of responsible innovation. Public confidence in the privacy and security of new technologies is crucial to their adoption. And the work of the PCPD is pivotal in instilling public confidence that technology can - and must - be used in an ethical and meaningful way.”
In her welcome remarks, the Privacy Commissioner, Ms Ada CHUNG Lai-ling, SBS, said, “The theme of our 30th anniversary – ‘Protecting Privacy · Embracing Innovation’ – encapsulates a dual mission: to steadfastly uphold our commitment to privacy protection as a vigilant ‘guardian’, while proactively embracing innovation as a forward-looking ‘reformer’ in an AI-enabled world. Thanks to the Chief Executive and the Government in mapping out Hong Kong’s first Five-Year Plan, we are able to fulfil our mission with momentum by implementing and supporting the Five-Year Plan through our roles as a regulator, facilitator, educator and reformer.”
Launch of the “Hong Kong International Data Privacy Academy”
While celebrating the 30th anniversary of the PCPD, the Secretary for Justice, the Hon Mr Paul LAM Ting-kwok, GBS, SC, JP, officiated the launch ceremony of the “Hong Kong International Data Privacy Academy” at the Summit. The establishment of the Academy aims to actively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan, support Hong Kong’s development as an international hub for high-calibre talents and leverage Hong Kong’s distinctive advantages of enjoying the strong support of the Motherland and being closely connected to the world under the “One Country, Two Systems” principle. The Academy also aims to support the formulation and implementation of Hong Kong’s first Five-Year Plan by the HKSAR Government under the leadership of the Chief Executive, thereby actively integrating into and serving the overall national development.
The Academy will provide flagship training programmes on privacy/personal data protection matters for organisations, privacy protection practitioners and other stakeholders in Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and other parts of the world. The programmes, which include introductory seminars, professional workshops, topical seminars on emerging issues, dialogue with experts, in-house seminars and online training, are supported by various professional associations and industry groups. For details, please visit the website of the Academy: https://www.pcpd.org.hk/english/education_training/academy/introduction.html
“PCPD 30th Anniversary Privacy Protection Summit” and the “65th Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities Forum”
Held in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the PCPD, the Summit brought together representatives from privacy regulators, experts, industry leaders and academics from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and overseas to discuss the implications of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) on privacy protection and the development of data privacy protection in different jurisdictions, including the Chinese Mainland. Experts from the Chinese Mainland also discussed how the Country navigates the balance between safeguarding data privacy and fostering innovation in the digital era.
At the Summit, the Privacy Commissioner of Canada and Chair of the Global Privacy Assembly, Mr Philippe DUFRESNE, delivered a keynote speech virtually titled “The Future of Global Privacy Protection in the Age of AI”. Other guest speakers included the Director of International, Domestic and Stakeholder Relations, Office of the Privacy Commissioner, Canada, Mr Miguel BERNAL-CASTILLERO; the Chairperson of the Personal Information Protection Commission of Korea, Dr Kyung Hee SONG; the Commissioner of the Personal Data Protection Commission of Singapore, Ms Denise WONG; Visiting Professor at the International Research Institute for Next-Generation Internet of Macau University of Science and Technology, Mr Yanqing HONG; Partner of Reed Smith LLP, Ms Barbara LI; and Professor Guobin ZHU, JP, of the School of Law of City University of Hong Kong.
The Summit is an open session of the “65th Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities Forum” (APPA Forum), which is also one of the celebratory events of the 30th anniversary of the PCPD. The APPA Forum, hosted by the PCPD from 16 to 17 June, brings together over 100 representatives from privacy or data protection authorities across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss a wide array of global privacy issues and share regulatory and enforcement experiences.
Signing of Memoranda of Understanding or Affirmation of Cooperation
To further strengthen cooperation with privacy or data protection authorities from different jurisdictions and enhance collaboration in promoting personal data privacy protection, the PCPD signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) or Affirmation of Cooperation with the Personal Information Protection Commission of Korea, the National Privacy Commission of the Philippines and the Personal Data Protection Commission of Singapore on the sidelines of the Summit. The MoUs or Affirmation of Cooperation establish a closer collaboration framework for the parties to jointly address the privacy challenges posed by the advancement of AI.
The Summit was officiated by the Secretary for Justice of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the HKSAR) (the Secretary for Justice), the Hon Mr Paul LAM Ting-kwok, GBS, SC, JP, who also delivered the opening remarks. Other officiating guests, including the Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR, Dr LI Yongsheng; the Director-General of the Department of Law of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, Mr LIU Chunhua; the Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs of the HKSAR Government (the USCMA), Mr Clement WOO Kin-man, MH, JP; and the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (Privacy Commissioner), Ms Ada CHUNG Lai-ling, SBS, joined the Secretary for Justice in officiating the kick-off ceremony of the Summit and the launch ceremony of the Academy.
In his opening remarks, the Secretary for Justice, the Hon Mr Paul LAM Ting-kwok, GBS, SC, JP, said, “Over the years, the PCPD has performed not only as a regulator, but also as an enabler of responsible innovation. Public confidence in the privacy and security of new technologies is crucial to their adoption. And the work of the PCPD is pivotal in instilling public confidence that technology can - and must - be used in an ethical and meaningful way.”
In her welcome remarks, the Privacy Commissioner, Ms Ada CHUNG Lai-ling, SBS, said, “The theme of our 30th anniversary – ‘Protecting Privacy · Embracing Innovation’ – encapsulates a dual mission: to steadfastly uphold our commitment to privacy protection as a vigilant ‘guardian’, while proactively embracing innovation as a forward-looking ‘reformer’ in an AI-enabled world. Thanks to the Chief Executive and the Government in mapping out Hong Kong’s first Five-Year Plan, we are able to fulfil our mission with momentum by implementing and supporting the Five-Year Plan through our roles as a regulator, facilitator, educator and reformer.”
Launch of the “Hong Kong International Data Privacy Academy”
While celebrating the 30th anniversary of the PCPD, the Secretary for Justice, the Hon Mr Paul LAM Ting-kwok, GBS, SC, JP, officiated the launch ceremony of the “Hong Kong International Data Privacy Academy” at the Summit. The establishment of the Academy aims to actively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan, support Hong Kong’s development as an international hub for high-calibre talents and leverage Hong Kong’s distinctive advantages of enjoying the strong support of the Motherland and being closely connected to the world under the “One Country, Two Systems” principle. The Academy also aims to support the formulation and implementation of Hong Kong’s first Five-Year Plan by the HKSAR Government under the leadership of the Chief Executive, thereby actively integrating into and serving the overall national development.
The Academy will provide flagship training programmes on privacy/personal data protection matters for organisations, privacy protection practitioners and other stakeholders in Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and other parts of the world. The programmes, which include introductory seminars, professional workshops, topical seminars on emerging issues, dialogue with experts, in-house seminars and online training, are supported by various professional associations and industry groups. For details, please visit the website of the Academy: https://www.pcpd.org.hk/english/education_training/academy/introduction.html
“PCPD 30th Anniversary Privacy Protection Summit” and the “65th Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities Forum”
Held in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the PCPD, the Summit brought together representatives from privacy regulators, experts, industry leaders and academics from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and overseas to discuss the implications of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) on privacy protection and the development of data privacy protection in different jurisdictions, including the Chinese Mainland. Experts from the Chinese Mainland also discussed how the Country navigates the balance between safeguarding data privacy and fostering innovation in the digital era.
At the Summit, the Privacy Commissioner of Canada and Chair of the Global Privacy Assembly, Mr Philippe DUFRESNE, delivered a keynote speech virtually titled “The Future of Global Privacy Protection in the Age of AI”. Other guest speakers included the Director of International, Domestic and Stakeholder Relations, Office of the Privacy Commissioner, Canada, Mr Miguel BERNAL-CASTILLERO; the Chairperson of the Personal Information Protection Commission of Korea, Dr Kyung Hee SONG; the Commissioner of the Personal Data Protection Commission of Singapore, Ms Denise WONG; Visiting Professor at the International Research Institute for Next-Generation Internet of Macau University of Science and Technology, Mr Yanqing HONG; Partner of Reed Smith LLP, Ms Barbara LI; and Professor Guobin ZHU, JP, of the School of Law of City University of Hong Kong.
The Summit is an open session of the “65th Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities Forum” (APPA Forum), which is also one of the celebratory events of the 30th anniversary of the PCPD. The APPA Forum, hosted by the PCPD from 16 to 17 June, brings together over 100 representatives from privacy or data protection authorities across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss a wide array of global privacy issues and share regulatory and enforcement experiences.
Signing of Memoranda of Understanding or Affirmation of Cooperation
To further strengthen cooperation with privacy or data protection authorities from different jurisdictions and enhance collaboration in promoting personal data privacy protection, the PCPD signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) or Affirmation of Cooperation with the Personal Information Protection Commission of Korea, the National Privacy Commission of the Philippines and the Personal Data Protection Commission of Singapore on the sidelines of the Summit. The MoUs or Affirmation of Cooperation establish a closer collaboration framework for the parties to jointly address the privacy challenges posed by the advancement of AI.
The Secretary for Justice, the Hon Mr Paul LAM Ting-kwok, GBS, SC, JP, officiated the Summit and delivered the opening remarks.
The Privacy Commissioner, Ms Ada CHUNG Lai-ling, SBS, delivered the welcome remarks.
The Secretary for Justice, the Hon Mr Paul LAM Ting-kwok, GBS, SC, JP (middle); the Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR, Dr LI Yongsheng (second right); the Director-General of the Department of Law of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, Mr LIU Chunhua (second left); the USCMA, Mr Clement WOO Kin-man, MH, JP (first left); and the Privacy Commissioner, Ms Ada CHUNG Lai-ling, SBS (first right), hosted the kick-off ceremony of the Summit and the launch ceremony of the Academy.
Officiating guests, together with distinguished attendees, including the first Privacy Commissioner, Mr Stephen LAU Ka-men, JP (front row, second right); Member of the Legislative Council (LegCo) and former member of the Personal Data (Privacy) Advisory Committee (PD(P)AC) of the PCPD, the Hon Carmen KAN Wai-mun, JP (front row, third left); LegCo Members, the Hon Duncan CHIU (front row, first right), the Hon Grace CHAN Man-yee (front row, second left), the Hon Nick CHAN Hiu-fung, BBS, MH, JP (front row, first left); PD(P)AC members, Mr LAW Fai (back row, third left), Dr Patrick WONG Chi-kwong (back row, second left) and Ms Elsa WONG Yuk-kuen (back row, first left); members of the Standing Committee on Technological Developments (SCTD) of the PCPD, Dr Welland CHU (back row, third right); and former SCTD members, Mr Francis FONG Po-kiu (back row, second right) and Adjunct Professor Jason LAU (back row, first right), took a group photo.
In the presence of the Secretary for Justice, the Hon Mr Paul LAM Ting-kwok, GBS, SC, JP (middle), and other officiating guests, the Privacy Commissioner, Ms Ada CHUNG Lai-ling, SBS (second right) and the representatives of signatories of MoUs from different privacy or data protection authorities, including the Chairperson of the Personal Information Protection Commission of Korea, Dr Kyung Hee SONG (first left); and the Commissioner of the Personal Data Protection Commission of Singapore, Ms Denise WONG (first right), took a group photo.
Invited guests, speakers and participants of the Summit took a group photo.
The Privacy Commissioner of Canada and Chair of Global Privacy Assembly, Mr Philippe DUFRESNE, delivered a keynote speech virtually.
The Director of International, Domestic and Stakeholder Relations, Office of the Privacy Commissioner, Canada, Mr Miguel BERNAL-CASTILLERO (second left); the Chairperson of the Personal Information Protection Commission of Korea, Dr Kyung Hee SONG (second right); and the Commissioner of the Personal Data Protection Commission of Singapore, Ms Denise WONG (first right), participated in a panel discussion moderated by the Privacy Commissioner, Ms Ada CHUNG Lai-ling, SBS (first left).
Visiting Professor at the International Research Institute for Next-Generation Internet of Macau University of Science and Technology, Mr Yanqing HONG (second left); Partner of Reed Smith LLP, Ms Barbara LI (second right); and Professor Guobin ZHU, JP, of the School of Law of City University of Hong Kong (first right), participated in a panel discussion moderated by the Assistant Privacy Commissioner (Legal), Ms Fiona LAI Ho-yan (first left).