Xi’s order affirms SAR’s role in nation’s tech push: Paul Chan
President Xi Jinping’s latest directive to support Hong Kong in becoming an international innovation and technology hub has affirmed the SAR’s key role in the nation’s scientific-technology development, says Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po.
Chan made the remarks in his Sunday blog while attending the fourth China International Big Data Industry Expo in Guiyang, capital city of Guizhou province.
Hong Kong has warmly welcomed Xi’s instruction to strengthen sci-tech collaboration between the mainland and the special administrative region, which came after the president received a letter from 24 prominent Hong Kong-based scientists.
The president ordered that timely measures be taken to make national sci-tech funding accessible to Hong Kong’s scientific researchers — a move that will provide a much-needed boost for the city’s innovation and technology development.
Chan believes that the significance of the instruction lies beyond offering more funding for research and development. It has affirmed Hong Kong’s essential role in the nation’s plan to develop innovation and technology, as well as the city’s direct access to national scientific research projects.
Hong Kong, he notes, has many qualities in fulfilling that role, including internationally acclaimed quality scientific research at local tertiary educational institutions, a well-rounded law system and firm protection for intellectual property.
Echoing Chan’s remarks, Chief Secretary for Administration Matthew Cheung Kinchung said this role will be further enhanced through the city’s active involvement in two major initiatives — the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative — which will be new milestones in the nation’s reform and opening-up, ushering in new opportunities for Hong Kong.
The SAR, with its geographical advantages, should make the best of them to seize the opportunities created by the nation’s development, Cheung said, stressing that the city should take an active role in the two mega projects.
He said Hong Kong has made important contributions to the nation’s reform and opening-up, while national development has also made Hong Kong what it is now.
Hong Kong can be the facilitator and promoter in leveraging its advantages to meet the country’s needs, in its quest for joint development and prosperity with the nation, Cheung said.
As long as we have clear targets, and put in resources to attract and train talents in facing the difficulties, Hong Kong will, for sure, create a new chapter for innovation and technology, Chan said.
It has affirmed Hong Kong’s essential role in the nation’s plan to develop innovation and technology, as well as the city’s direct access to national scientific research projects.” Paul Chan Mo-po,