The LegCo Supports the Government on Studying the Establishment of an Innovation and Technology Bureau 中文 That in the face of the new challenges of the global economy, the development of an Internet-based economy is already an inevitable trend, and innovation and technology have also become a new development strategy of many countries, therefore, Hong Kong, while continuing to develop traditional industries, must formulate afresh a sustainable economic development strategy, so that through the development of new industries including innovation and technology, Hong Kong's competitiveness can be further upgraded. So, I moved a motion of “studying the establishment of an Innovation and Technology Bureau” in the LegCo and urged the Government to start the study as soon as possible. In the meantime, I hope the LegCo members and different political parties will actively take part in and promote Hong Kong in developing its innovation and technology, so as to let our economy and next generation have a better future. The motion was finally supported and passed in the LegCo. The motion of “Studying the Establishment of an Innovation and Technology Bureau” moved in the LegCo At the LegCo meeting on 6 July, I moved the motion of “Studying the Establishment of an Innovation and Technology Bureau”, there are four main suggestions I raised: (1) proactively study the establishment of an innovation and technology bureau specially tasked to co-ordinate and formulate Hong Kong's overall strategy of developing innovation and technology, so as to manifest the Government's determination and commitment in promoting the development of innovation and technology, and upgrade Hong Kong's international status in this respect; (2) provide preferential policies including land and taxation concessions, etc., to attract more enterprises on the Mainland and overseas, especially large technological enterprises to come to Hong Kong for development or even set up headquarters in Hong Kong, so as to bring fresh impetus to Hong Kong's Internet economy and create more employment opportunities; (3) provide local universities and technological research institutes with sufficient resources, and to tie in the relevant policies, so as to train more talents for developing innovation and technology, and promote the productization of university technological research projects; with the large enterprises from the Mainland and overseas coming to develop in Hong Kong, increase the opportunities for their exchanges with local talents, so as to upgrade the skills, quality and visions of local talents; and (4) strive for social and public recognition of developing innovation and technology in Hong Kong, so as to create an atmosphere and cultural environment of universal support for promoting innovation and technology and fostering the development of the Internet economy. Given the great changes in the regional economy, China’s economy no longer solely relies on Hong Kong. As Hong Kong hasn’t found its own new position and role, so I moved the motion of “Studying the Establishment of an Innovation and Technology Bureau” in the LegCo. In my speech, I mentioned that the need of China’s future economy development is exactly the opportunity for Hong Kong. It is expected that China’s economy will be shifted gradually from developing industrial and export center in the past to developing innovation and technology. Though there are some obstacles expected during the development of innovation and technology in China, I believe Hong Kong will be able to compensate this deficiency and even become an international and independent platform of China’s innovation and technology development. Therefore, I expect the Government is able to study the establishment of an Innovation and Technology Bureau as soon as possible and implement its establishment in the next Government to show government’s commitment on promoting network economy and innovation and technology. At the same time, I hope different political parties will put more concern on studying the policies of innovation and technology, promote the development of innovation and technology together and further enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong. Motion of “Studying the Establishment of an Innovation and Technology Bureau” : Motion Speech Forum on “How can we enhance Hong Kong’s competitiveness? How to implement the setting up of the Innovation and Technology Bureau?” My LegCo office together with the Hong Kong Professionals and Senior Executives Association and some ICT professional bodies, organized a forum on “How can we enhance Hong Kong’s competitiveness? How to implement the setting up of the Innovation and Technology Bureau?” on 25 June, bringing elites from different sectors together. We hope to draw on collective wisdom and reach a consensus as how to promote development of innovation and technology in Hong Kong. Our guest speaker, Dr. NI Peng-fei from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences pointed out that Hong Kong should not rely solely on its financial industry. Hong Kong should enhance its technology innovation. With his setting this stage, the forum actively participated in the ensuing discussion section. Other guests include the Hon. LAU Kong-wah, also an Executive Council Member, the Hon. Emily LAU and Mrs. Fanny LAW, NPC Deputy. To my surprise, despite different political orientations among some of them, all agreed the importance of innovation and technology in the future economic development of Hong Kong. They are willing to put aside differences, and urge the Government to change the old thinking and be more practical and proactive so as to attract more talents and funds to help nourish the innovation and technology development in Hong Kong. Only with this will our younger generation see hope, prospects and more opportunities. Welcome to visit the links below for the guests’ speeches: 20110625 Forum of “How to enhance Hong Kong’s competitiveness? How to implement the setting up of the Innovation and Technology Bureau?” Video (Cantonese)
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