China’s tech economy faces huge risks if basic science research ignored, warns Tencent founder Pony Ma

  • Tencent pledged last November to allocate US$144 million to support young scientists in basic science research

Celia Chenin Shenzhen
Pony Ma Huateng, the founder, chairman and chief executive of Hong Kong-listed internet giant Tencent Holdings. Photo: Bloomberg

Chinese technology tycoon Pony Ma Huateng, the founder and chief executive of internet giant Tencent Holdings, emphasised the importance of basic science to establish a solid foundation in technology, warning of the huge risks faced by the country’s tech development if it is ignored.

“Our achievements are like tall buildings built on the beaches. If the foundations [of basic science research] are not solid, the future risks are very high,” Ma said in an interview with China's state-run CCTV during the “two sessions”, China’s annual gathering of its legislative and political advisory bodies, which kicked off in Beijing on Sunday.

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