This year’s Policy Address stated that the government will continue investing in innovation technology and smart city development to strengthen Hong Kong’s long-term competitiveness. It also announced more land for innovation and technology, including the Northern Metropolis, with plans to build Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology center. These measures show that the government still places strong emphasis on the development of the innovation and technology sector.
The Policy Address includes long-term plans for both hardware and software support. On the hardware side, the government promised more innovation and technology land, including the Northern Metropolis, the planning and development of the Lok Ma Chau Loop, Science Park, Cyberport, industrial estates and university research land. It will also expand the Innovation and Technology Bureau into the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau to promote smart city development.
On the software side, the focus is attracting and nurturing innovation technology talent. Measures include increasing the quota under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, promoting an outstanding innovation and technology scholars program, increasing postgraduate research support and extending the Research Matching Grant Scheme.
Major New Innovation Technology Measures in the Policy Address
1. More innovation technology land and related infrastructure
The government plans to build an international innovation and technology center and create 150,000 related jobs. It will develop San Tin Technopole, using land released by the relocation of the Lok Ma Chau Control Point, nearby fish ponds and rural land, and existing land in the San Tin/Lok Ma Chau Development Node to add about 150 hectares for innovation and technology use.
The Science Park expansion is also moving quickly. The Ma Liu Shui reclamation plan will restart, and land released by moving Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works into caverns will provide 88 hectares of new land mainly for innovation and technology. The eastern corridor around Pak Shek Kok and Science Park will be strengthened as an innovation technology economic area.
For industrial estates, the Advanced Manufacturing Centre in Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate and the Microelectronics Centre in Yuen Long Industrial Estate were scheduled for completion in phases. The government also invited the Science and Technology Parks Corporation to plan a second Advanced Manufacturing Centre.
For university research land, land will be provided for the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. The government also supports improving transport facilities around University Station and related research development.
2. Attracting and nurturing innovation technology talent
The annual quota under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme will double to 4,000 to attract global talent to Hong Kong. The government will continue the outstanding innovation technology scholars program to bring more renowned scholars and teams to Hong Kong.
For postgraduate research support, the over-enrolment ceiling for UGC-funded research postgraduate programs will be relaxed to encourage universities to train more research talent and support research activities.
3. Promoting re-industrialization and research and development
The Innovation and Technology Bureau will be expanded into the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau to support re-industrialization through innovation and technology.
For smart city development, the government will promote 5G in multiple ways, including releasing more 5G spectrum and supporting early adoption of 5G applications such as telemedicine, remote maintenance support and real-time site safety monitoring.
The government will also build a smart port, promote wider use of digital technology in shipping and port operations, and launch Commercial Data Interchange to help SMEs access financing by allowing authorized service providers to share operational data with banks.
Other measures include continuing Construction 2.0, promoting innovation, professionalization and youth development in construction, encouraging Modular Integrated Construction, supporting smart greenhouse technology and automated hydroponic production, and continuing platforms such as InnoHK for life and health technology.
Hong Kong Computer Society Recommendations
The Hong Kong Computer Society welcomed the innovation technology measures in the Policy Address and made several recommendations.
1. Promote the construction of digital Hong Kong
Hong Kong should accelerate smart city development across industries, cooperate with businesses through public-private partnerships, use technology to improve livelihoods and provide IT infrastructure such as data centers, cloud services and ERP systems to SMEs and startups. This can help businesses with limited IT knowledge and staffing improve digitalization, cybersecurity and information security.
2. ICT talent development
The education system should introduce data literacy courses for primary and secondary students, preparing them for a digital era involving AI, robotics, big data and Industry 4.0, as well as social impacts such as professional displacement and network monitoring.
ICT professionals also need continuing professional training so they can keep up with rapid IT development and innovation across industries. Course content should remain current, trainers should have sufficient expertise, and incentives such as tuition subsidies or recognized certificates can attract participants.
Hong Kong should also actively promote ICT career opportunities to attract overseas professionals, including talent from the mainland. Promotion can begin in Greater Bay Area and major mainland cities before expanding overseas, while housing and education incentives can help attract scarce talent.
Looking back, the Hong Kong government has increasingly emphasized innovation and technology development. The new Policy Address shows more resources and talent development plans than before. IT professionals and business owners should make good use of available resources to support the development of innovation technology in Hong Kong.
Source: Hong Kong Computer Society, press release on the Chief Executive’s 2021 Policy Address, October 6, 2021
Translation supported by AI.