Developing innovation and technology industries through regional co-operation

The current-term Government is committed to developing innovation and technology industries with a view to driving the growth of all other sectors and making people's lives more convenient, comfortable and safe. To succeed in this endeavour, Hong Kong must consolidate its strengths and actively work with other places. Guangdong, which has very close ties with Hong Kong, is one of our major partners in this regard.

This afternoon, I attended a forum on Hong Kong's technology and economy. With the theme of building an innovation corridor between Hong Kong and Guangdong, the forum brought together nearly 1 000 leaders in the technology sector to explore opportunities for co-operation between the two places in promoting innovation and technological development.

Co-operation between Hong Kong and Guangdong in innovation and technology takes place at different levels and covers a wide range of areas.  With the implementation of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, such co-operation has deepened. For example, we have signed a framework agreement to enhance the development of informatisation in the two places, launched the Road Cargo System and the Pilot Applications of Mutual Recognition of Electronic Signature Certificates Issued by Hong Kong and Guangdong, and established an expert committee to promote the development of cloud computing in the two places. To nurture IT talent, Hong Kong and Guangdong have jointly launched a young entrepreneur programme in recent years to enable aspiring young people to start their own IT businesses. Over the years, the two places have made much progress in promoting the development of innovation and technology industries in the region by complementing each other's strengths.

Hong Kong itself has to work harder too. For the long-term and sustainable development of our innovation and technology industries, we need to set up the Innovation and Technology Bureau to steer and co-ordinate the relevant government policies. I appeal to Members of the Legislative Council to support the establishment of the Innovation and Technology Bureau and complete the necessary process at an early date.

September 23, 2014