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(English only)

Following is a speech by the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mrs Fanny Law, at the opening ceremony of the third joint meeting of Chinese Physicists Worldwide today (July 31):

Professor Arthur Li, Dr CY Wong, Distinguished Physicists, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great honour to address such a distinguished gathering of renowned scholars from around the world; and to meet in person outstanding Chinese physicists whose achievements are the pride of Chinese people all over the world.

On behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, I extend my warmest welcome to all of you who are visiting Hong Kong. I also applaud the Chinese University of Hong Kong for hosting this prestigious event. At the dawn of a new millennium, this meeting has a particular significance for Hong Kong, as our economy is undergoing a major transformation, guided by the Chief Executive's vision of developing Hong Kong into an innovation-led, technology-intensive economy in the 21st century.

To support this vision, the Government has injected additional resources and intensified efforts to promote research and development in recent years. In the academia, the University Grants Committee, operating through the Research Grants Council, has made great strides in expanding and upgrading the quality of research of local tertiary institutions, and establishing international collaboration in research. In addition, grants were awarded to encourage institutions to build on their existing strengths and develop into areas of excellence which measure up to international standards. To expand the research capacity of institutions, we will also increase the number of research postgraduate students in the next triennium beginning in 2001, and allow more flexibility for institutions to enrol above target.

To leverage private sector funding for research, Cooperative Research Centres were established to stimulate and encourage industrial participation in applied research at tertiary institutions. On the other hand, to help industry to leverage university research resources, the Government has set up an Innovation and Technology Fund to support downstream research in innovation and technology. Also in the pipeline is the establishment of a Science Park, an Applied Science and Technology Research Institute and the Cyberport which, when they come into operation in the next few years, will provide additional impetus to the development of science and technology in Hong Kong.

In the final analysis, the most important production factor of a knowledge-driven economy is human capital. For many years, Chinese scientists have made significant contributions to the discovery of knowledge. The process of discovery invariably starts off with questioning the status quo, which is so often and easily taken for granted. Chinese Nobel Laureates in physics have asked, for example,

* Why must the left be the same as the right? (Nobel Work of CD Lee and CN Yang)

* Why can't a collection of atoms be brought to a near standstill without thermal jitter by using light beams? (Nobel Work of Steven Chu)

* Why can't there be excitations of fractional charge in certain semiconductor systems? (Nobel work of Dan Tsui)

The research topics may be different, but there is something in common among these great scientists. They are characterised by an unflinching passion for knowledge and truth, and an unrelenting effort to challenge what may seem to be the obvious. The road to discovery requires them to be open-minded, creative, self-directed, persevering, honest and critical. Before proclaiming their discoveries, scientists have to try every means to ruin their own experiments and exhaust all contrary hypotheses.

The qualities of a great scientist are the qualities that our education system aims to develop in our young people. The seriousness of attitude and thoroughness of investigation of a great scientist are the recipe for success, not only in scientific discovery, but also in any endeavours. In the words of President Truman in 1948, "when more of the peoples of the world have learned the ways of thought of the scientist, we shall have better reason to expect lasting peace and a fuller life for all."

The scientific revolution of the past century has improved the quality of life of the human race, and contributed to social justice. The television, for example, apart from providing entertainment, also enlightens and broadens the exposure of the less well-off in society. The technology of household appliances reduces household chore and enables women to go out and work.

Some technologies have compensating negative effects, and are socially divisive. High-technology computing and communications is a case in point. People who are wired have tremendous economic and social advantages, as increasingly jobs and business opportunities are offered through the internet. The poor and disadvantaged members of the community, who do not have access to the computer and the internet, are in danger of being left behind.

As we hail the internet as a powerful communication tool, the insidious infiltration of unwanted propaganda and pornography into the family, and the controversy surrounding the free circulation of intellectual properties, by Napster for example, have raised ethical, moral and legal issues. How to ensure technological progress run hand in hand with social progress is a challenge which demands the concerted effort of scientists and policy makers. It is incumbent upon scientists to ensure that science serves humanity first and foremost, never the other way round. Policy makers have the responsibility to mitigate any negative impact new inventions may have on the morality and peaceful co-existence of human beings.

The theme of this meeting is "Role of Physics in the New Millennium: Research, Education and Society". In the next five days, the synergy of brainpowers in this room will proclaim the extraordinary promise of physics research in the development of science and technology, and examine its impact on education and society.

To all conference participants, I wish you a successful and fruitful meeting. To our overseas visitors, I wish you a pleasant stay in Hong Kong, and look forward to welcoming you back.

Thank you.

End/Monday, July 31, 2000

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