The hongkong prize is an annual award given to outstanding scholars and experts for their contributions in scientific research and influence on transformation of R&D outcomes. It is sponsored by the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited and endorsed by the Hong Kong Alliance of Technology and Innovation. The prize aims to inspire Hong Kong scientists to persevere in innovative exploration and contribute their research results to society.
The award was established in 2012 and is open to all enrolled secondary school students in Hong Kong. Students must be nominated by their teachers to participate. Students must submit their artworks online before the submission deadline. Shortlisted students will be invited to join an exclusive art activity and receive a certificate of achievement. The school of the winner will also be awarded a trophy.
This year’s jury selected the winner of the Breaking News Photography category for a photo of a police officer arresting a protester during the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong last summer. The photo, which was published by Reuters, showed the police officer’s firmness as he restrained the protester and prevented him from fleeing. The photo was shared on social media more than 11.7 million times, according to Sina Weibo.
Despite its popularity, the photo stirred up controversy on Weibo and caused a backlash against the Hong Kong Prize and the sponsoring organization, the HK Foundation for Young Scientists. Some netizens argued that the prize was inappropriate for a work that incites public disorder and violates civil rights. Others questioned why the prize jury did not include photos showing the police brutality against the protesters.
The prize is one of the most prestigious awards in Hong Kong and is considered to be Asia’s version of the Nobel Prize. This year, the award committee announced that it would no longer include the “Jackpot” prize in the competition’s prizes. Previously, the winnings of the Snowball prize were rolled over to the First Division Prize Fund, and if there is still no winner for the First Prize, it was added to the Jackpot for the next draw.
As a result, the minimum first prize will now be HK$8 million. The total prize money will be HK$288 million.
In addition, the prize organizers have decided to reduce the number of prizes from 10 to 8 and change their names to reflect the new structure. The HK$5 million winner will still be named the Champion, but the second prize is now called the First Runner-up Prize and the third prize is now known as the Second Runner-up Prize. The amount of the second runner-up prize has increased from HK$10 million to HK$15 million. In order to keep the prizes sustainable, the organisers will have to increase the ticket prices. The ticket price will be doubled to HK$10 in 2024. It will then be reduced to HK$5 in 2025. The organisers argue that increasing the ticket price is necessary to raise enough funds for the prize fund.