By Lee Kwong-yu
China's 15th Five-Year Plan places technological innovation at the core of its national strategy in order to accelerate high-level technological self-reliance and lead the development of new-quality productive forces. The plan opens a special, yet important chapter, aiming to seize the commanding heights of the new round of technological revolution.
Given the national development plan, Hong Kong is explicitly positioned as an international innovation and technology center, accompanied by the hub for international high-end talent. It reflects Beijing's direct support and expectation for the city's technology sector under the framework of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Thanks to the principle of One Country, Two Systems, Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of autonomy. However, with great power always comes great responsibility. Hong Kong, as part of China, must take the significant opportunities brought by the national "15th Five-Year Plan", not only to foster the city's vibrant economy, but also to meet the national needs.
Hong Kong possesses world-class universities and strong basic research capabilities in areas, such as AI, life sciences, fintech, new materials, and new energy, which can precisely tackle key core technologies and align with the nation's needs for original innovation. The territory, on one hand, can actively transform its advantages in basic research into a source of innovation for national industries. On the other hand, we can strengthen the deep integration of industry, academia, research, and application so as to accelerate the efficient transformation and application of scientific research results.
Developing artificial intelligence is also one of the key points of the 15th Five-Year Plan. Currently, Cyberport already has an AI supercomputing center, but Hong Kong will need more computing power centers in the future to support the development of many central businesses, such as finance and innovation. The application of AI requires the support of massive computing power centers. I hope that the government will increase Hong Kong's electricity and computing power as soon as possible, accelerate the improvement of infrastructure, and build Hong Kong into an important base for the development of AI.
The draft outline for the first time explicitly states the need to "accelerate the construction of the Northern Metropolitan Area," positioning it as a strategic platform for Hong Kong to contribute to national technological self-reliance. By developing a "finance in the south, innovation and technology in the north" pattern, Hong Kong can provide high-quality land for innovation and technology, attracting strategic technology companies to settle in, establishing a complete chain from R&D to pilot production and mass production, and, more importantly, forming a thriving innovation and technology industrial ecosystem.
Besides, attracting top international talent is one of the key development elements. To align with the integration of education, technology, and talent, Hong Kong should leverage its world-class universities and international environment to attract leading scientific research figures and teams, focusing on key areas. In light of this, we should prioritize the construction of the "Northern University Town" in the governance agenda. The newly designed area is targeted at deepening industry-education integration, so as to achieve integrated development of education, technology, and talent. Last but not least, the government should cultivate local talent and promote universal AI training to ensure that the workforce adapts to the latest technological changes.
As one of the forefront regions in national reform, Hong Kong should leverage its advantages to pave the road to great success. Not only promoting the cross-border flow of innovation elements, but also integrating technology, capital, talent, and resources, can Hong Kong align with the development goals and meet the expectations of the central government.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.
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