Potential sanctions, global headwinds will have little effect on Hong Kong tech sector, innovation chief says
- Innovation and technology chief Sun Dong says city’s growth depends on internal policies, not external changes
- ‘Unilaterally unfriendly policies by certain countries towards Hong Kong will have an impact, but to a limited extent,’ he adds
Potential sanctions and global headwinds will have a minimal effect on Hong Kong’s technology sector, the city’s innovation chief has said as he emphasised the importance of pressing ahead with measures outlined in a development blueprint.
Secretary for Innovation and Technology Sun Dong on Wednesday said Hong Kong was the most open and international city in the country and had established a strong reputation for attracting talent, funds and technology.
When asked about potential sanctions or restrictions by the United States on the import of hi-tech products in the city and how authorities would respond to external political influences, Sun said Hong Kong’s growth depended on internal policies, regardless of external changes.
“Unilaterally unfriendly policies by certain countries towards Hong Kong will have an impact, but to a limited extent,” he said in an interview with the city’s public broadcaster.
“Of course, authorities will closely monitor these developments and make timely adjustments. No matter how the outside world changes, Hong Kong’s development is dependent on internal factors.”
He added that the city’s development strategy focused on tapping into its global image, making more friends and continuing to expand its international network.
“The local innovation and technology sector has been procuring technological products from around the world for many years, without being limited to a single region,” he said.
Since 2019, the US has enforced restrictions on specific Chinese technology companies, limiting their access to American semiconductor technology and equipment. As a result, these firms have faced challenges in procuring advanced chips and semiconductor equipment from American suppliers.
The US in August announced plans to restrict American venture capital and private equity investments in Chinese firms specialising in semiconductors, microelectronics, quantum information technologies and certain artificial intelligence systems, including companies in Hong Kong and Macau.
Referring to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s statement, “To forge iron, one must make oneself tough”, Sun said the government would be firm in implementing policies outlined in the I&T Development Blueprint regardless of any external influences.
The blueprint, published in 2022, set out ambitious targets for innovation and technology development with a plan to double the amount of talent, start-ups and unicorn enterprises in the city over the next decade, as well as a push for a fourfold increase in economic contributions from the manufacturing sector.
Sun said future efforts to promote new industrialisation would focus on nurturing start-ups, as well as attracting and supporting key enterprises to set up shop in Hong Kong.
He added authorities would also focus on upgrading and transforming existing local industries, particularly the manufacturing sector which had already established a presence in Hong Kong.
The Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone at the border between the city and mainland China is expected to become an important engine for Hong Kong’s innovation and technology development in the future.
Sun said the government would release more land to accelerate the development of the zone.
Authorities last month announced they would demolish the community isolation facilities at the Lok Ma Chau Loop by March, freeing up five hectares (12 acres) of land for the construction of five buildings in the first phase of the technology park.
