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Following is the speech by the Secretary for Information Technology and Broadcasting, Mr Kwong Ki-chi, at the opening ceremony of the 14th International Computer Exposition today (Thursday):
Mr Tang, Mr McPhee, ladies and gentlemen,
I am glad to be invited to officiate at the opening ceremony of the 14th International Computer Exposition today. This is an annual showcase of the IT industry. With over 350 exhibitors from more than 20 countries and regions all over the world, it provides an excellent opportunity for all to find out about the latest development in computers. This is particularly important to businesses who want to make the best use of IT innovation in improving their operations and enhancing their competitiveness. The Exposition is also of interest to the individual as it shows the latest technological applications aimed at helping us improve the style and quality of our life.
Information technology is now widely used for work, research, education, as well as for leisure and entertainment. It has become an integral part of our life. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is fully aware of the importance of this development. That is why we have recently set up the Information Technology and Broadcasting Bureau which will be responsible, inter alia, for coordinating efforts in the community in the development and use of IT. Consistent with our economic philosophy, we will be promoting the development of an environment in our community which stimulates creativity and fosters advances in the use of information technology. We are determined to make Hong Kong a leader in the information world of tomorrow.
We look towards you - IT professionals, computer manufacturers and suppliers, service providers and everybody else in the IT industry for support in our endeavour. We also look towards you for help to raise community awareness, and to identify more opportunities for the application of information technology in our daily life.
Today I would also like to take the opportunity of this exposition to address a topical issue in the IT industry, an issue which is receiving increasing public and media attention as well. It is the Year 2000 problem or what is commonly called the "Millennium Bug". The problem occurs because, in order to save memory space, we used to record years in our IT systems and equipment using the last two digits rather than all four, thus 98 instead of 1998. This means that those systems and equipment cannot distinguish, for example, between the year 2000 and the year 1900. It sounds trivial but it means that many of our equipment and IT systems, if not rectified, could fail when we reach the Year 2000. The problem is extensive and potentially disastrous if not properly addressed as there are few, if any, areas of modern life that are not touched by IT.
In fact, we don't have to wait for the Year 2000 before the problem asserts itself. In the United States, there was a report of a recent law suit over the rejection by the buyer of a batch of newly manufactured products which were not due to expire until the Year 2000. What happened was that the buyer's computer system which was not Year 2000-compliant calculated that the products were almost a century old. In another incident, a supermarket's computer system rejected a new product with a five year shelf life into the Year 2000, registering it as nearly 100 years old. Think of the chaos similar mistakes could cause in our business transactions, in our economy and in our daily lives!
An international IT research authority, the Gartner Group, once estimated that the worldwide cost of fixing the Year 2000 problem would reach some US$300 billion to US$600 billion. Their estimate is now considered conservative by some other industry experts. Based on more recent experience in the rectification of the Year 2000 problem in businesses and Government, some have predicted that the cost could approach US$1.5 trillion.
We in Hong Kong are of course not immune to the Year 2000 problem. Within the Government itself, we have embarked upon a comprehensive rectification and replacement programme to ensure Year 2000 compliance for our IT systems and equipment. We are also liaising with those non-government organisations which are funded or regulated by Government and which provide services to the public to ensure that they would also be able to achieve Year 2000 compliance before the new millenium arrives. In addition, we would organise publicity programmes to promote awareness of the problem on a community-wide basis.
But Government alone cannot solve the Year 2000 problem. I therefore appeal to you all, as an IT vendor or an IT professional, as a business operator or IT user, or just as a lay person interested in IT, to pay serious attention to the Year 2000 issue, to accord top priority to its resolution, and to take positive action so as to prepare your company, your clients and yourself for the smooth transition to the Year 2000.
Looking at the issue positively, we are probably dealing with the largest ever maintenance project in IT history. It presents challenges as well as many business opportunities to the IT industry.
Finally, I would like to congratulate the organiser of Computer Expo '98 and thank all those whose hardwork has made possible the successful launching of this exposition.
Thank you.
End/Thursday, May 7, 1998
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