2008 Digital 21 Strategy > Foreword

Summary of views shared by
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
on the 2008 Digital 21 Strategy

About 30 years ago when I was working in New York, a friend told me, "We are researching on an object just like a gramophone record. When the object is put into a machine, we can watch movies on TV." That's incredible, I said.

Nowadays, we can actually watch movies with a disc and even on mobile phones.

The development of IT is indeed very fast, and is closely related to our daily lives as well as the economic development of Hong Kong.

The HKSAR Government published the first Digital 21 Strategy in 1998, and updated the Strategy in 2001 and 2004 respectively in response to evolving needs of the community and technological advancements.

I have just announced the fourth Digital 21 Strategy. The vision is "advancing our achievements and seizing new opportunities: building on Hong Kong's position as a world digital city".

The Strategy has five key action areas:

• Facilitating a digital economy;
• Promoting advanced technology and innovation;
• Developing Hong Kong as a hub for technological cooperation and trade;
• Enabling the next generation of public services; and
• Building an inclusive, knowledge-based society.

To achieve our vision, the Government will make the best use of IT and invest in IT. Active participation of all stakeholders will also be needed.

IT is developing at lightning speed. Today, we can check emails anywhere in the world.

With our joint efforts and competitive edge, we will continue to build Hong Kong as a leading digital city.

Note: The video clip was produced in December 2007. You need Flash Player to view the video clip.

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