Opinion | Throwing more money and land at projects isn’t the way to develop Hong Kong’s innovation and technology

Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office Xia Baolong’s unprecedented six-day visit to the city might have been at short notice, but it has been well planned.

Before touching down last Thursday, Xia made it clear that “investigations and studies” on both Hong Kong and Macau “should be greatly enhanced”. The purpose of the visit is clear: “examine problems in an in-depth research manner. Focus on rectification and implementation. Strengthen organisational leadership and consolidate leadership.”

As Xia arrived in our city, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu reiterated a message that has been pounded in our minds for the past few months. Hong Kong is entering the next phase of economic development, pursuing high-quality growth by developing innovation and technology.

Last month, former chief executive Leung Chun-ying – a vice-chairman of the country’s top political advisory body – urged the innovation and technology sector to play their part in “aligning Hong Kong with the national digital economy strategy to explore a new development direction for the financial hub”.

It makes perfect sense that innovation and technology is on Xia’s list. Even more important is that we need to fit into the national plan.