The Hong Kong Prize honors individuals who contribute to world civilisation by inspiring others towards building a harmonious society. Its logo features a pearl and jade amulet as a reminder of humanity’s spirit of harmony; winners include selfless volunteers helping those in need as well as people who overcame obstacles to make an impactful difference, including students using technology to assist homeless individuals and a professor who developed liquid biopsy technology which speeds cancer diagnosis.
Winners are selected by an independent panel of experts from Hong Kong society’s academic and business sectors, who then offer both monetary prizes and trophies, in addition to having an opportunity to visit some of Hong Kong’s premier research facilities and meet scientists from around the globe.
HK Prize is open to all Hong Kong secondary school students currently enrolled, nominated by their teachers, and submitted prior to the submission deadline online. A panel of judges will select a shortlist, awarding a Judges Prize to the student with the most outstanding submission; top ten finalists will then be invited to an awards ceremony as well as participating in a Winners Tour visiting universities and research institutes worldwide.
15 prominent academics from 10 countries sent a letter to the Nobel committee comparing imprisoned pro-democracy leaders imprisoned under Beijing’s crackdown to persecuted dissidents and freedom fighters who have received past Peace Prizes, such as Hitler critic Carl von Ossietzky, Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov and Polish politician Lech Walesa – each receiving their prize as they opposed oppressive regimes like Hitler. Professors believed this prize would highlight Hong Kongers’ resistance as an act of conscience embodying humanity’s highest moral ideals.”
Matt Haldane of the Post and reporters Dylan Butts and Xinmei Shen were awarded runners-up in the Best News Writing category with their joint piece on factors impeding growth in Hong Kong’s cryptocurrency market in October 2023. Eric Ng from its news department came away as runners-up in Best Business News Writing (English) category for his piece published November 2023 on challenges Hong Kong faced becoming a climate change hub.
This year’s HK Prize focuses on “Our Changing World”, inviting Hong Kong artists to explore various aspects of global development from a social, cultural, economic and technological standpoint. Of the 102 works shortlisted so far, many investigate globalisation’s effects, labor migration and gender equality – just some examples among many!