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The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, and the Non-Official Members of the Executive Council (ExCo Members) visited the Hong Kong Science Park this morning (July 23) to learn more about the latest efforts by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) in promoting the development of innovation and technology in Hong Kong.
The visit began with a briefing on the latest developments at the HKSTP by its Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mrs Fanny Law. Based on global technology trends, market opportunities and Hong Kong's own strengths, the HKSTP identified three technology platforms, namely healthy ageing, robotics and smart city, as its development focus. The Chief Executive and ExCo Members visited three technology companies belonging to these platforms to learn about their research and development results.
They first toured a biomedical technology company that specialises in medical imaging devices, including magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography systems, and is a global leader in technology and clinical applications of its products. Its major research team is based in the Science Park and the company is exploring advanced manufacturing of its products in Hong Kong.
Mr Leung and ExCo Members then visited a material and precision engineering company that focuses on researching micro-fabrication and nano-fabrication technology which are applicable to products such as watches and clocks, precision instruments and apparatus, as well as advanced material analysis technology. The company, which has researched and developed all its technologies and products at the Science Park, also collaborates with universities and research institutes in Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas.
The last stop was an information and communications technology company that specialises in developing applications with advanced computer vision technology, such as face recognition, and intelligent surveillance by crowd counting algorithms.
Most of the founders and major researchers of the three companies are from local universities, proving that Hong Kong is capable of nurturing outstanding talent in the field of innovation and technology. Through the value-added services provided by HKSTP, such as connecting companies with suitable talents, market exploitation and fund raising, these companies could further expand their businesses and enhance their research and development of technologies and products.
Mr Leung said the three companies operate at the Science Park, demonstrating that co-operation among the government, industry, academia and research sectors is crucial to the development of innovation and technology. While local universities nurture excellent research talent and the HKSTP provides value-added services to technology companies, the Government also plays a very important role, Mr Leung added. That is why the current-term Government has in the past three years requested the Legislative Council to approve the establishment of the Innovation and Technology Bureau (ITB), so as to better co-ordinate and promote the development of innovation and technology in Hong Kong.
Mr Leung reiterated that apart from boosting the economy, the development of innovation and technology could create more opportunities for young people and further improve people's quality of life. Innovation and technology are closely linked to the enhancement of Hong Kong's competitiveness and it is important to keep pace with their rapid and fast-changing development. Therefore, the establishment of the ITB should not be further delayed.
ExCo Members attending today's visit included Mr Cheng Yiu-tong, Professor Arthur Li, Mr Andrew Liao, Mr Cheung Chi-kong, Mr Jeffrey Lam and Mr Nicholas Yang.
Ends/Thursday, July 23, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:29
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