Hong Kong tech bureau can boost links with mainland China, says IT adviser after three-day visit to Beijing
City's technology adviser says pet project of C.Y. Leung would boost digital interaction with the mainland and increase business opportunities
Establishing an innovation and technology bureau would help to boost interaction between Hong Kong and the mainland under the country's "Internet Plus" strategy, the city's technology adviser said in Beijing yesterday.
"There are quite a lot of projects in the pipeline on the mainland," said Nicholas Yang Wei-hsiung. "We should bring Hong Kong's industry players to the mainland for exchanges and to seek business opportunities.
"Hongkongers are innovative, and the mainland's internet sector has good value. [Both sides] can benefit if we have more interaction."
The proposed bureau is a pet project of Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying but it has been repeatedly blocked by lawmakers. Yang is considered the front runner to head the bureau.
READ MORE: Can Li Keqiang's Internet Plus strategy really save China?
In his first official visit to the capital since taking office as Leung's adviser on innovation and technology in March, Yang led a 50-strong delegation from the IT sector on a three-day visit.
Although he did not discuss the bureau with officials of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Yang said the industry would continue to strengthen communication with the mainland to achieve a "win-win situation".
"It's hard for the mainland to find a connection point with Hong Kong when there are technology issues that could benefit the city," Yang said.
Many business opportunities for Hong Kong would arise from the "Internet Plus" strategy and its "Made in China 2025" plan, Yang said. One example was cooperation between start-ups in Hong Kong and the mainland and talent exchanges.
The "Made in China 2025" project aims to create a manufacturing revolution underpinned by smart technology.
"Internet Plus" was launched by Premier Li Keqiang in March to encourage internet start-ups and new technology in traditional sectors.
The delegation, the largest of its kind, was organised by the Software Industry Association and the Information Technology Joint Council.
On Wednesday, the two groups signed a memorandum of understanding with the China Internet Development Foundation, the first public fundraising foundation in the internet sector approved by the State Council last month, to establish a platform for cooperation.
READ MORE: Made in China 2025: How Beijing is revamping its manufacturing sector
The chairman of the Software Industry Association, Eric Yeung Chuen-sing, said there was also a detailed discussion with mainland authorities on the internet content provider business and the role of Hong Kong's technology under the "One Belt, One Road" initiative to build a network of ports and expressways and help expand trade, investment and influence in the region.
Information Technology Joint Council president Duncan Chiu said the council would work with the foundation on an internship programme and also help start-ups in the city to run exchanges with their mainland counterparts and get access to funding from mainland investors.
