Recap of 2024
The inaugural "Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge" held in 2023 facilitated the joint exploration of innovative applications of open data in city management, business development, and operation efficiency between Hong Kong and Shanghai. The competition successfully enhanced the awareness and adoption of open data by enterprises and technology professionals in both cities, thereby promoting the development of smart cities and the digital economy in the two regions.
In early 2024, the National Data Bureau and other authorities launched the Three-Year Action Plan (2024-2026) For “Data Elements X” , actively promoting the "use of data through competition to encourage the application of data across various scenarios and to amplify the multiplier effect of data elements. As data is an important element in driving high-quality development and new quality productive forces, the Digital Policy Office (DPO) of the HKSAR Government and the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Data jointly steered the "Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Competition 2024". This competition aims to further leverage the multiplier effect of data elements, and is poised to deepen the exchanges and co-operation between the two cities in digital technology, empowering the socio-economic and innovative developments in both cities.
Under the slogan "Co-Creating a Data Industry Platform for the Two Cities", the competition encourages participants to develop projects under the four themes: Smart Mobility, Smart Living, Smart Environment and Smart Economy. Participants are tasked with utilizing open data from both cities to develop more innovative applications, collaboratively advancing digital economic cooperation and coordinated development between Hong Kong and Shanghai.
Spanning six months, the event attracted over 100 teams, reflecting the enthusiasm and capabilities of Hong Kong and Shanghai in the field of innovative technology. After a series of evaluations, 20 outstanding teams were selected to engage in mentorship training, business matching, expert exchanges and mock demonstrations to prepare for the Final Judging. Their proposals covered multiple aspects, including data analysis and application development, showcasing the boundless potential of technological innovation in both regions through the application of open data.
The Final Judging and Awards Presentation Ceremony were held in Shanghai, along with corporate visits, exhibition opportunities and business matching. These not only only affirmed the efforts and innovative spirit of each team but also marked a new chapter in Hong Kong-Shanghai collaboration, injecting significant momentum into the synergistic effect of economic development of the two cities.
To accelerate the implementation of the Three-Year Action Plan (2024-2026) For “Data Elements X”and fully unleash the multiplier effect of data elements, the National Data Bureau and and other authorities launched the inaugural “Data Element x” Competition in May 2024. This national competition aims to identify a selection of highly effective and innovative data development and utilisation solutions to drive the growth of related technological industries. As the only divisional competition of the "Data Element x" competition with participants from two cities, selected entries from the "Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge 2024" were nominated to join the national competition held in Beijing in October 2024, where the teams competed and exchanged ideas with data experts from various provinces and cities across the Mainland.