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Welcome speech by S for IT at Croucher Advanced Study Institute 2016-2017 opening ceremony (English only) (with photos)
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     Following is the welcome speech by the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang, at the Croucher Advanced Study Institute 2016-2017 opening ceremony today (January 10):

Ben (Provost of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Professor Benjamin Wah), Professor Leung (Director of Institute of Future Cities of the CUHK, Professor Leung Yee), distinguished guests, friends, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good morning and Happy New Year. It is a great pleasure for me to join you all today at this Croucher Advanced Study Institute event organised by the Institute of Future Cities of the CUHK, with the support of the Croucher Foundation. The three-day event provides an excellent opportunity for top-notch researchers to exchange ideas on the integration of urban science and urban informatics for smart city development.

     Recent forecast suggests that by 2035 we will have two billion more people living in cities around the world. City planning is much more demanding than before and at the top of the agenda for all governments and leaders.

     Smart city is the ability for the Government and the stakeholders to leverage on the latest Internet technologies to improve productivity and city management. By doing so, people can connect and live better. In Hong Kong, our objectives are to make use of innovation and technology to address urban challenges for enhancing our city management; and improving the quality of living, sustainability, efficiency and safety of our city. 

     However, technology alone is not enough to build a smart city. A strategic framework with strong people-focus is required. We have commissioned a consultancy study to formulate the smart city blueprint and development plan for Hong Kong up to 2030, which is scheduled to complete by mid-2017. In doing so, we will make reference to experiences of other cities, and consider the best institutional arrangements for steering and implementing the blueprint.

     Hong Kong's smart city blueprint will set out strategies and initiatives to address major urban challenges faced by Hong Kong so we can connect and live better. It will also set out a digital framework, including the digital infrastructure and technical standards suitable for Hong Kong, taking into account international and Mainland standards. The consultant will also look into the legal framework to ensure privacy protection while facilitating data sharing and analytics. In addition, we will look into possible business models and a collaboration framework for public-private-partnership in the development of smart city initiatives.

     Smart city development requires the support and collaboration of various stakeholders in our community. We have set up a dedicated portal (www.smartcity.gov.hk) for crowd sourcing of ideas from the community on smart city development. Your valuable ideas and suggestions are welcome.

     In closing, I would like to congratulate the CUHK for organising this event, and wish all participants a fruitful exchange. For our visitors, I wish you a pleasant stay in Hong Kong and please enjoy our city.

     Thank you.
 
Ends/Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Issued at HKT 11:42
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Photo

The Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang, addresses the opening ceremony of the Croucher Advanced Study Institute 2016-2017 on "Integration of Urban Science and Urban Informatics for Smart Cities" today (January 10).
The Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang (third left); the Provost of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Professor Benjamin Wah (second left); the Director of Planning, Mr Raymond Lee (first left); the Assistant Director of the Hong Kong Observatory, Dr Cheng Cho-ming (third right); the Dean of Faculty of Social Science of the CUHK, Professor Chiu Chi-yue (first right); and the Director of Institute of Future Cities of the CUHK, Professor Leung Yee (second right), pictured at the opening ceremony of the Croucher Advanced Study Institute 2016-2017 on "Integration of Urban Science and Urban Informatics for Smart Cities" today (January 10).