[Concurrent] Sun Dong, Director of the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government
Traditionally, Hong Kong has been our major development center without innovative technology.
In the past 20 years since the reunification, Hong Kong has experienced a lot of ups and downs in the development of innovation and technology. Now, the political stability is particularly commendable because Hong Kong society has now formed a consensus that Hong Kong must develop innovation and technology if it wants to develop.
[Explanation] The national "14th Five-Year Plan" clearly proposes to support Hong Kong in building an international innovation and technology center.
Recently, Sun Dong, Director of the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, accepted an exclusive interview with China News Agency in Beijing, talking about how Hong Kong's innovation and technology set sail under the new opportunities.
[Explanation] Sun Dong, who was born and raised in Beijing, studied at Tsinghua University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and then went overseas for further study. He returned to Hong Kong in 2000 to develop, and has been working in the field of higher education and scientific research in Hong Kong for many years.
This trip is Sun Dong's first return to Beijing since he joined the Hong Kong SAR government.
[Concurrent] Sun Dong, Director of the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government
I think like many Hong Kong people in Hong Kong, we have not returned to the mainland since the outbreak of the epidemic. This time, we feel very kind when we return to Beijing.
Then I chose Beijing as my first stop, mainly because Hong Kong cannot do without the strong support of the country if it wants to develop innovation and technology.
[Explanation] Sun Dong said that Hong Kong is an international metropolis, a traditional center of finance, commerce, trade, and shipping. It practices common law and has many advantages in the development of innovation and technology, but it also faces some challenges.
[Concurrent] Sun Dong, Director of the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government
The advantages of the "one country, two systems" window, relatively strong advantages in basic scientific research, and our rich network and channels to connect with overseas countries all determine that Hong Kong has very good advantages in developing innovation and technology.
Of course, there are also some shortcomings in the development of innovation and technology in Hong Kong. One is that we are not strong enough to attract and retain talents, our motivation to transform scientific and technological achievements is insufficient, and the land for developing innovation and technology is relatively scarce.
There are both opportunities and challenges for the development of innovation and technology in Hong Kong, but the opportunities outweigh the challenges.
[Explanation] On December 22, 2022, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced the "Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint".
Sun Dong said that this is the first time since Hong Kong's return to the motherland that the SAR government has issued a systematic and comprehensive document on innovation and technology. It has formulated a development path and strategic plan for the development of Hong Kong's innovation and technology in the next 5 to 10 years, which is forward-looking .
[Concurrent] Sun Dong, Director of the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government
Our blueprint has a very clear vision, which is to build an international innovation and technology center in Hong Kong.
The blueprint makes 42 recommendations across 16 questions.
Then, in view of the current situation in Hong Kong, we propose four major missions. The first mission is to develop a diversified economy, the second is to create high-quality jobs, the third mission is to improve the quality of life, and the fourth mission is to integrate into the overall situation of national development. , is to serve the needs of the country.
[Explanation] Sun Dong believes that the global high-tech industry is currently at a new starting point. How Hong Kong can make good use of its own advantages and achieve further breakthroughs will not only solve its own development problems, but also give full play to its strengths and contribute to the needs of the country.
[Concurrent] Sun Dong, Director of the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government
Finding new opportunities to serve the needs of the country is something that we always keep in mind Hong Kong's strengths and our mission.
To seek the development of Hong Kong and the happiness of the citizens, everyone regards innovation and technology as (puts) a very important position.
Then how to implement the suggestions and measures proposed in this blueprint in the next step requires the cooperation of various government departments and the participation of the whole society.
Reporter Cheng Yu Zhang Xiaoxi reports from Beijing
Responsible editor: [Li Ji]