Free exchange of data and bio samples will boost Hong Kong’s innovation sector, Science Park CEO says
- Albert Wong says such an exchange would lure ‘world-renowned tech talents, firms and institutes’ to the city
- Concerns over privacy and security are obstacles for implementing the exchange in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Science Park intends to do all it can to help the government’s campaign for a free exchange of big data and biological samples in the Greater Bay Area, the park’s chief executive said.
Albert Wong Hak-keung said in an interview with the Post on Thursday that such an exchange – between Hong Kong and mainland China – would greatly boost the city’s innovation and technology (I&T) sector.
“If the exchange of data and bio samples is made possible in Hong Kong, world-renowned tech talents, firms and institutes will be attracted to conduct [research and development] in Hong Kong while local tech firms would easily achieve tech breakthroughs with the use of the big data,” Wong said.
Hello computer: Hong Kong to spend HK$45 billion grooming tech leaders
“I think the park could have done more in these two areas. We hope that these two policies can be implemented in Hong Kong.”
He described his vision for the park a day after Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po announced a host of funding measures worth more than HK$45 billion for the city’s I&T development and its dream of becoming a global tech hub.
The budget came after Beijing recently unveiled the “Greater Bay Area” blueprint, a grand plan to integrate Hong Kong, Macau and nine mainland Chinese cities into an economic and innovation powerhouse to rival Silicon Valley and the Tokyo Bay Area.
Chan said last year he would fight for the free exchange of medical data in the bay area to facilitate biotech breakthroughs.
Wong said the park had actively helped the Hong Kong government in its campaign for the free exchange, but there was much left to do.
Hong Kong opens US$3.8 million e-sports complex amid hopes industry will boost economy
“At present the Hong Kong government is fighting [to get] these two policies from Beijing, “he said. “Our role is to communicate to the authorities about the views of the [I&T] sector on how these measures should be implemented in Hong Kong. If they get the green light, we will have detailed plans on how to execute these policies.”
Wong admitted that privacy and security issues were major obstacles.
“The free exchange of data concerns privacy and security issues such as data leaks. They have to be resolved,” he said. “Also, at present bio samples in the mainland are not allowed to be transported to Hong Kong. This regulation problem needs to be tackled, too.”
