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In the coming year, Hong Kong will undertake technical trials of digital terrestrial television services and the development of a world class "teleport" at Chung Hom Kok to provide the best possible global satellite communications links.
The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, also said in his policy address today that the Government:
-proposes to set up a $100 million Film Development Fund in 1999 to help the film industry keep pace with new technology and skills.
-will spend $173 million on launching the on-line Government Electronic Services Delivery Scheme, which from 2000, would allow anyone to access public services.
Describing steps to extend the frontiers of technology in the various fields, Mr Tung said it was intended to speed up growth in broadcasting and telecommunications by creating the best possible market conditions and regulatory environment for investors.
"Innovation and improvement in these industries will also lead to better service delivery and greater consumer choice, thereby promoting growth and creating new jobs.
"We will also encourage greater investment and promote the provision of better services to the public in the television and telecommunications sectors by ensuring fair competition among service providers."
On Information Technology, Mr Tung said the average growth rate in IT in recent years, amounting to 23.5% annually, reflected its importance both in helping Hong Kong to retain its competitive edge and in driving an overall economic expansion.
"We need to continue to make the best possible use of IT as an essential tool in speeding the flow of business and other communications. We also need to ensure that the IT industry can flourish in an environment which will encourage the creation of new products through innovation, he said.
On the Internet hub, Mr Tung said that given its location and bilingual language capability, Hong Kong had a strong competitive advantage in seeking to serve as an information gateway to the Mainland.
"Working with our Mainland counterparts, we will improve our mutual Internet links, making it easier for Hong Kong companies to integrate their manufacturing and supply operations on the Mainland.
"In linking the Mainland through Hong Kong to the rest of the world we will also be able to act as a digital intermediary, which will allow us to stimulate economic growth."
Within Hong Kong, creating an infrastructure for the free flow of electronic transactions in the community would help promote the development and growth of new IT products and services.
The Government would spend $173 million on launching the on-line Government Electronic Services Delivery Scheme, which from 2000, will allow anyone to access public services and information 24 hours a day via the Internet and other means of electronic access.
This would be an important step in facilitating growth in electronic commerce, as well as enhancing the Government's own efficiency.
Mr Tung said the Government's role in helping the film industry upgrade itself would be to help provide an environment conducive to long-term development.
In the past year a Film Services Office had been set up to help the industry with production and location shooting in particular, and provided a site for a state-of-the-art film studio with advanced post-production facilities.
The proposed Film Development Fund would promote innovation by supporting projects aimed at enhancing the industry's professional and technological capabilities; stimulating the growth of creative productions; facilitating the use of advanced special effects techniques; and improving the skills of employees.
The overall investment in technology would also greatly enhance capabilities in the use of computer graphics.
Referring to intellectual property rights, Mr Tung said the Government was committed to upholding a world-class intellectual property rights regime.
"Our approach has been to maintain a comprehensive legal framework, to take vigorous and sustained enforcement action, to step up education and publicity and to create strong links with cross-boundary and international enforcement authorities as well as relevant industries.
"In the coming year we will devote extra resources to combatting illegal activities in this area and further increase our efforts to educate the public. We simply will not tolerate the theft of ideas, and I urge everyone in Hong Kong to support this effort by refusing to buy pirated or counterfeit goods of any description," he said.
End/Wednesday, October 7, 1998
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