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Following is the speech by the Secretary for Information Technology and Broadcasting, Mrs Carrie Yau, at the First Digital Broadcasting Site Activation Ceremony by Hong Kong Cable Television Limited today (December 7):

Mr Stephen Ng, Mr Miller, Chairman of the Broadcasting Authority Mr Norman Leung, ladies and gentlemen,

I am delighted to attend this ceremony. Today is a milestone marking the enterprising Hong Kong Cable Television's success in bringing its television services into the digital era.

Digitisation widens the horizon of television broadcasting and enables audience to have more choices as well as better quality services. Back in 1998, the Hong Kong SAR Government published our first Digital 21 Information Technology (IT) Strategy. The Strategy, updated this year, aims at driving Hong Kong's development as a leading digital city in the globally connected world. One of our focuses is the development of digital television.

Digitisation is an irreversible trend in the world. It will change our lifestyle. Audience can enjoy not only the high quality sound and picture brought by digital technology but also innovative services based on the interactivity of digital television in future. These services include instant teletext, Internet services, shopping, banking and interactive advertising.

In addition, digitisation fosters technology convergence. Various media are now being transmitted via a range of electronic means. At present, we are able to webcast and surf the Internet on TV. Very soon, we can use our handsets to receive video streams when 3G services are rolled out. Undoubtedly, digitisation has blurred the boundaries among telecommunications, broadcasting and Internet. At the same time, it opens up new business opportunities for operators to provide innovative services.

The Government will work together with the industry to develop digital television. We will strive to provide a conducive environment by enhancing infrastructure, developing the IT force, and strengthening the community capability to exploit the digital world. Hong Kong Cable Television's eagerness to introduce digital services will inject new impetus into the development of digital television in Hong Kong. I believe that Hong Kong Cable Television's digital services will soon cover every corner of Hong Kong.

Thank you!

END/Friday, December 7, 2001

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