Government launches simplified Chinese character websites

Chinese communities over the world can now access traditional or simplified Chinese character versions of Hong Kong government websites by an easy click of the button.

This follows the successful introduction of a simplified Chinese character version.

The new service, aimed at enhancing the accessibility of government websites to Chinese communities outside Hong Kong, particularly people in the mainland of China, is one of the initiatives under the Digital 21 IT Strategy to upgrade the e-business environment of Hong Kong.

A spokesman for the Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau said today (January 26) the introduction of the simplified character websites was made possible by the adoption of an advanced web-based conversion technology developed by a small Hong Kong enterprise in the IT industry, Kanhan Technologies Ltd.

"With this technology, webmasters only need to prepare the web content in traditional Chinese characters. A simplified Chinese character version of the same content will then be produced automatically by a conversion software installed in government servers," he said

"This is a leading-edge web-based conversion technology developed in the greater China region. It brings more convenience for the Chinese communities around the world to access the information on the Hong Kong government's websites.

"The technology minimises the cost and manpower of government departments to provide the service by obviating the need to prepare and maintain a separate simplified Chinese character version of their web contents."

The spokesman said changes made to the text of the traditional Chinese character version would be automatically effected in the simplified Chinese character version through the conversion software.

"No physical process needs to be involved to separately make the same changes to the simplified Chinese character version," he said.

"Now, Internet users can choose to view the content of government websites in English, traditional Chinese characters or simplified Chinese characters by the click of a button without installing any additional conversion software at their end," the spokesman said.

Automated Systems (HK) Ltd was awarded a contract to provide this new service through an open tendering exercise in August last year, using the conversion software developed by Kanhan Technologies.

Kanhan is one of the companies that received assistance from the Small Entrepreneur Research Assistance Programme (SERAP) established under the HK$5 billion Innovation and Technology Fund.

SERAP was set up to provide seed money to 'technopreneur' start-ups that have projects with innovative and technological contents and a chance of commercial success.

"The success of this local SME to commercialise its patented technology for market application is an example of the programme's ability to help Hong Kong's entrepreneurs turn innovative ideas into commercial application. It also reflects the quality standard of Hong Kong companies in the development of Internet software and technology," the spokesman said.

End/Sunday, January 26, 2003