Hong Kong – Welcome remarks by SITI at Digital Economy Summit 2024 (English only) (with photos)
Welcome remarks by SITI at Digital Economy Summit 2024 (English only) (with photos)
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Following are the welcome remarks by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Digital Economy Summit 2024 today (April 12):
Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, 尊敬的中聯辦盧新寧副主任 (Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Ms Lu Xinning), 尊敬的國家網信辦王崧副主任 (Vice Minister of the Cyberspace Administration of China Mr Wang Song), 尊敬的中國互聯網發展基金會王秀軍理事長(President of the China Internet Development Foundation, Ms Wang Xiujun), distinguished speakers and guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning and welcome to Digital Economy Summit 2024. In particular, a warm welcome to our guests and friends from the Mainland and abroad for joining us at this innovation and technology (I&T) flagship event in Hong Kong.
Organised by the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau and Cyberport, the Digital Economy Summit has established itself as Hong Kong’s annual high-powered I&T event. The theme of this year’s summit is “Smarter Technovation for all: Forging a Sustainable Future”. This theme highlights the importance of I&T in tackling global challenges, driving the global digital economy and at the same time promoting sustainability and creating positive societal outcomes.
This year, our two-day programme comprises a total of eight thematic forums, which are dedicated to fostering a holistic and multi-dimensional approach to look into how the global digital economy is being shaped and impacted. Over 100 industry experts and global thought leaders come here to share their valuable experience and vision. I encourage all of you to grasp this golden opportunity to engage in inspiring discussions and explore new business collaborations in this global technology wave.
The Hong Kong SAR Government has always accorded high priority to developing Hong Kong into an international I&T hub as set out in our country’s 14th Five-year Plan. Under the leadership of our Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint published in December 2022 laid down a clear course for Hong Kong’s I&T development in the next five to 10 years, which includes accelerating the development of the digital economy and smart city. In this year’s Budget as announced by our Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, a number of digital economy-related initiatives and measures were introduced, which again further demonstrates our government’s commitments in I&T adoption for higher-quality economic growth.
Hong Kong will continue to contribute our I&T power in forging a sustainable future. The most commonly cited definition of “sustainable” is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of our future generations to meet their own needs. Echoing today’s theme, how we are going to achieve a sustainable future is developed by maintaining a balance between using technology in an intelligent way, while at the same time, promoting, creating and maximising long-term value by using technology in a safe and responsible manner. I believe our speakers in this two-day programme will give the best illustration on this important agenda.
Before I close, I would like to thank Cyberport, my colleagues in the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau and the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, and our collaboration partners for their brilliant contributions in organising this great event. I also wish you all a truly rewarding experience at the Summit and a wonderful experience in Hong Kong. Thank you very much.
Opening remarks by STL at opening ceremony of Smart Logistics Datathon 2024 (English only)
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Professor Cheung (Director of the Asian Institute of Supply Chains & Logistics, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Professor Cheung Wai-man), distinguished guests, fellow participants, ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening. It is my great honour and pleasure to join you all here in the opening ceremony of the Smart Logistics Datathon.
First and foremost, on behalf of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), I would like to welcome all the young talent from home and different parts of Asia to Hong Kong. I understand you visited our airport and the associated facilities this morning. As many of you may already know, Hong Kong International Airport is among the world’s busiest airports and I am sure you all had the privilege to see for yourselves today. And Cyberport, the place we are at right now, is Hong Kong’s digital flagship. So your visit today basically combines “smart” and “logistics”. I hope you enjoyed the visits and workshops today, as well as the real deal of the competition, which will start later today.
Digital economy has been transforming the world, reforming traditional business models and creating new industries, and the logistics sector is no exception. From the bread and butter of logistics like supply chain management to emerging or fast-growing sectors like e-commerce, digitalisation is all the rage in the logistics industry. This is precisely why the HKSAR Government made the smart logistics development one of the key directions of growth for Hong Kong’s modern logistics industry in our Action Plan on Modern Logistics Development promulgated in October last year.
This digitalisation drive could be powered not just by the Government’s effort, but also by industries and academia through collaboration with multiple means. Such collaborative effort is exemplified by no better than the Smart Logistics Datathon today, which is the first promotional event supported by the Logistics Promotion Funding Scheme, which we launched under the Maritime and Aviation Training Fund this January to support the logistics-related organisations and professional bodies for organising campaigns and activities that will promote the industry and hopefully instil in the young minds that we logistic people are a really cool bunch.
To me, the Datathon is not just a digital challenge, but also a timely answer to the manpower development need that the logistics industry is facing. The industry’s turn towards smartness is irreversible, and it takes a multidisciplinary workforce with specialised and professional knowledge for industry players to stay relevant in the game. In this way, the Datathon not only simulates the data crunch that makes your daily online order delivery seem so effortless, but also provides early exposure to those of you who are talented and interested in modern logistics-related entrepreneurship and innovation. We hope that this unique experience will inspire your creativity and more importantly your interest in joining the logistics industry, which I believe will continue to be one of the sturdiest engines of economic growth for years to come.
Last but not least, I wish you all a successful and fulfilling experience at the unsleepable 35-hour Smart Logistics Datathon. To our overseas guests, do enjoy your stay in Hong Kong. And to our local participants, I hope you will have a great adventure. Good luck to everyone! Thank you.
Transcript of remarks by SLW at media session (with photo/video)
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Reporter: Did Director Xia express any expectations for the Hong Kong Government about the poverty alleviation work? If yes, what are they?
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: The Sham Shui Po Community Living Room is a project to showcase the effort by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to tackle poverty in Hong Kong, in particular for those residents living in sub-divided units. The Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong, is encouraged by what we do to help those in need, because what is available here in the Community Living Room is exactly what those living in poor conditions need, giving them space for gathering; for children, there is a space for them to study and also socialise. What is more important is to provide a shared pantry as well as common areas where they can do laundry and, if necessary, they can have a shower. This is a very concrete measure by the Government. For that, Director Xia fully agrees with what we do and he encourages us to push ahead with our effort and do more to help those in need.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Transcript of remarks by FS at media session (with photo/video)
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(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Transcript of remarks by SCST at media session
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Hong Kong – Opening remarks by STL at opening ceremony of Smart Logistics Datathon 2024 (English only)
Following are the opening remarks by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, at the opening ceremony of the Smart Logistics Datathon 2024 today (April 2):
My gratitude goes to the Asian Institute of Supply Chains & Logistics of the Chinese University of Hong Kong for organising this remarkable event. I would also like to thank the Airport Authority Hong Kong, and Professor Wu Jing, the Director of the Institute Development Office of the Asian Institute of Supply Chains & Logistics, for providing data for the Datathon, as well as the logistics trade as a whole for your staunch support for the competition and indeed the Government’s effort in promoting the image of and fostering the manpower development for the industry as we have committed in the Action Plan. The Datathon only lasts for three days, but our collaboration shall continue to make the logistics industry as an indispensable pillar of our economy.Hong Kong – Transcript of remarks by SLW at media session (with photo/video)
Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, at a media session today (February 25):Hong Kong – Transcript of remarks by FS at media session (with photo/video)
Following is the transcript of remarks by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at a media session today (February 22):
Reporter: How would you interpret Director Xia’s second visit to Hong Kong in such a short period of time? How would you respond to comments that the second visit may signal concerns from Beijing that the city’s governance and economy is not doing as well as it should? And secondly, did Director Xia give any guidance or advice on the upcoming Budget, and did he give any key performance indicators for the Government concerning the economy? Thank you.
Financial Secretary: We warmly welcome the visit by Director Xia (the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong) to Hong Kong. His visit that lasts for seven days would cover such areas as Hong Kong’s economic development and district administration. Under the leadership of the Chief Executive, along with the Deputy Financial Secretary and six other Policy Secretaries, we reported to Director Xia about the economic and financial situation in Hong Kong; our development in innovation and technology and commerce; as well as work related to land and housing supply. We had very good exchange of views. He understands the situation of Hong Kong very well. During the discussion, he encouraged us to continue with our good work. He is confident with this Government and appreciates our work. Going forward, the whole team in the Government will continue to work hard to develop our economy. In the process, we will make good use of the various policy support measures from the Central Authorities.
As to your question about the possible measures that benefit Hong Kong, I think if there are any such measures, they would be announced at the appropriate time. Thank you.Hong Kong – Transcript of remarks by SCST at media session
Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, at a media session after attending a radio programme this morning (January 28):
Reporter: Given the series of mega events to be held in Hong Kong in the coming year, how many tourists or how much economic benefits are expected?
Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism: In terms of economic benefits, of course, the direct economic benefits will be the number of tourists coming to attend these mega events. That will bring a lot of other incomes relating to, for example, the accommodation, as well as their spending in Hong Kong. But more important is the mega events would bring a lot of related management, administration, organisation to come, as well as help the promotion of Hong Kong as a major event capital, which I think will also be beneficial to Hong Kong in the long term.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)Ads
