HONG KONG, Oct. 22 -- The Hong Kong government launched a series of activities called InnoTech Month 2010 on Friday to promote a culture of innovation and technology in the community.

Organized by the Innovation and Technology Commission, the InnoTech Month, expanded from the annual Innovation Festival since 2005, aims to enhance and foster public interest in innovation and technology, particularly among the younger generation.

Addressing the launching ceremony, the Commissioner for Innovation and Technology Janet Wong said the government has been promoting the development of six industries in which the city enjoys clear advantages, and innovation and technology is one of them.

"The government has been providing hardware and software to promote development in this area, but the government could not have succeeded without the support of the general public, in particular the younger generation," she said.

As in previous years, youngsters would be the key element of InnoTech Month, and many activities were specifically designed for them, including workshops, competitions and exhibitions showcasing winning projects of major local science competitions.

Wong added that elements for the elderly are specially included in this year's activities, hoping to help the elderly understand that innovation and technology are part of their life too.

The key event of the activities will be InnoCarnival running from Nov. 6 to 14 in Hong Kong Science Park. The nine-day event will have three main themes, which are Robotics Innovation and Technology, Intelligent Living and Elderly Care Applications, and Green Technology. More than 40 partner organizations, universities and research institutes will set up exhibition booths to show their latest research and development achievements.

(Xinhua)