Hong Kong needs strict copyright protections, says China’s science and technology minister
Dr Wan Gang says Beijing’s ban on websites such as Facebook could be lifted if they complied with “security requirements”
Hong Kong should implement a “strict copyright protection system” when developing its innovation and technology sectors, the country’s Minister of Science and Technology said this afternoon.
Dr Wan Gang, who is vice-chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, was delivering a keynote speech at a luncheon organised by the Our Hong Kong Foundation, a think tank founded and helmed by former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa.
“A strict copyright protection system would offer good conditions” in developing the innovation and technology sector, especially in the internet era, Wan said, to the 100-strong audience during his hour-long speech.
READ MORE: Angry scenes, microphone snatched, police escort for lawmaker ‘Long Hair’ Leung Kwok-hung from copyright forum
Wan, however, did not refer specifically to the controversial Copyrights Amendment Bill, which has been dubbed “Article 23 in the cyber world” by opponents of the bill, referring to the national security clause in the Basic Law.
The bill, which regulates online parodies, is due to be debated - for the second time - in the Legislative Council on Wednesday.
Wan also said that the government should introduce policies that support young people who are interested in innovation and technology.
Wan was also asked when mainland China might lift its ban on websites such as Facebook.
“There is no problem,” he said, “our market is open as long as [the websites] have satisfied our security requirement”.
