The Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang, today (October 4, San Francisco time) visited major technology firms Facebook and 500 Startups in Silicon Valley and updated members of the US technology sector on the opportunities arising from the latest developments of innovation and technology in Hong Kong.
 
     Mr Yang started the day by visiting Facebook's headquarters in Silicon Valley and met with the Vice President of International and Policy Communications at Facebook, Ms Debbie Frost. They discussed a wide range of topics related to technology and innovation, such as how Facebook can work with different stakeholders to help grow Hong Kong's start-up ecosystem together, and how Facebook is developing new technologies to make connecting from the most densely populated cities to even the most remote areas faster and more affordable. Mr Yang pointed out that Facebook could leverage Hong Kong's competitive edge to further enhance its business in the region and said he is looking forward to collaborating on helping Hong Kong start-ups to build and grow their businesses globally.
 
     A lunch with board members of the Hong Kong Association of Northern California (HKANC) came after the visit to Facebook. Mr Yang told HKANC board members that innovation and technology is high on the policy agenda of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government. To promote sustained and diversified social and economic development, the HKSAR Government is determined to develop the local innovation and technology industries, driving the upgrading and transformation of the overall economic structure and thereby raising Hong Kong's competitiveness and improving the people's quality of life.
 
     In the afternoon, Mr Yang paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Consul General of the People's Republic of China in San Francisco, Mr Deng Fanhua, and the Science and Technology Counsellor at the Chinese Consulate-General in San Francisco, Mr Wang Junming.
 
     Later, Mr Yang held a meeting with the Director of Civic Innovation Partnerships under the San Francisco Mayor's Office, Mr Jeremy Goldberg, focusing on the city government's initiatives to foster collaboration between start-ups and government departments.
 
     This was followed by a visit to 500 Startups, which is a global venture capital seed fund and start-up accelerator based in Silicon Valley. Mr Yang met with 500 Startups partner Ms Edith Yeung and discussed issues of mutual concern.
 
     Mr Yang also took the opportunity to meet with members of the Hong Kong community in the Bay Area who are academics and technology entrepreneurs and executives. Mr Yang encouraged them to explore the opportunities presented by the burgeoning start-up scene in Hong Kong.
 
     Before winding up his visit to San Francisco, Mr Yang will attend a breakfast meeting with venture capitalists and angel investors and visit WeWork San Francisco tomorrow morning (October 5, San Francisco time).

Ends/Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Issued at HKT 15:08

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