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The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, today (May 5, Boston time) kicked off his official visit to Boston with tours to top-notched research institutions to see for himself the latest development of innovation and technology in the United States.
Leading a delegation comprising government officials, industry leaders and academics from the innovation and technology sector, the Chief Executive started the day by visiting the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab which is devoted to projects at the convergence of technology, multimedia, sciences, art and design. MIT Media Lab includes more than 25 research groups working on more than 350 projects with diverse research themes, ranging from digital approaches for treating neurological disorders to a stackable electric car for sustainable cities.
Mr Leung also met the Provost of MIT, Mr Martin Schmidt, and senior faculty members with Hong Kong connections to exchange views on how to enhance the co-operation between Hong Kong and Boston in the innovation and technology sector.
In the afternoon, the Chief Executive visited the Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI), a collaborative of 1,000 scientists and clinical experts in stem cell science dedicated to developing safer and more effective treatments for disease. Mr Leung and the delegation toured the labs at HSCI to learn more about their field of research including regenerative medicine. He also met the Marshal of Harvard University, Ms Jackie O'Neill, and exchanged views on promoting co-operation among government, industry, academic and research sectors to boost innovation and technology.
Earlier today, the Chief Executive addressed a luncheon organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York, where he met with representatives of Boston business chambers and local leaders.
Mr Leung said that there was much Hong Kong could offer US business looking to the Mainland for opportunity. "We are your 'super-connector' to the Mainland of China. That's thanks largely to our 'one country, two systems' arrangement. It means that, while Hong Kong is part of China, it is also distinct from other cities in China, as we practise the other 'system'. It gives us unparalleled advantages as a common platform between the United States and China - in business, trade, finance and more. When I say more, I definitely include science and technology which is the reason for my visits to Harvard and MIT on this short trip,"
"Hong Kong is not any international financial centre, we are China's international financial centre, and the world's China financial centre. We serve as a launching pad for China's new reform measures, and so we have first-mover advantages to share with US businesses.
"Our information and communications technology infrastructure and our liberalised telecommunications market open up a wealth of opportunity for e-commerce, wireless/mobile, digital-content creation and service, cloud computing, and much more," he said. "I invite you to build your businesses, and start your start-ups, in Hong Kong. Where the future is already up and running."
In the evening, Mr Leung attended a gala dinner hosted by the Cathay Pacific Airways to celebrate the inauguration of their direct flight service between Hong Kong and Boston.
"We are strategically located on the East-West route, within five hours' flying time of half the world's population. And Hong Kong is the premier international gateway to China. Today, more than one hundred airlines operate some 1,100 flights every day between Hong Kong and about 180 destinations worldwide." he said.
"Convenient, efficient, high-quality air services underpin Hong Kong's credentials as Asia's world city. Over the years, Hong Kong International Airport has been named the finest airport in the world more than 50 times by travellers and industry professionals," he said.
"As for the longer term, we are moving ahead on the third runway. Upon completion of the project, expected in 2023, the airport will be able to handle about 100 million passengers and nearly nine million tonnes of cargo annually by 2030," he added.
The Chief Executive will depart Boston tomorrow (May 6, Boston time) and return to Hong Kong in the morning of May 7.
Ends/Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Issued at HKT 10:10
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