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Science Technology and the Economic Future edited by Susan Raymond
Shelley Lau
Director of Home Affairs
Hong Kong
Based on remarks delivered to the New York Academy of Sciences on April 24, 1996.
Increasingly, knowledge–based development underpins Hong Kong's economic strategy. It is no secret that Hong Kong is on the brink of a new future as part of China, the largest, most populous nation on earth. Yet, even now, the Hong Kong economy supports not just the six million people in its own territory, but also another four million who are economically linked across the border with China. With the current pace of innovation and change in the world, and with the growing strength of out economic competitors in Southeast Asia, it has become clear that the trade and manufacturing base of the Hong Kong economy must make a leap of technological innovation into the future.
New Initiatives in Science and Technology—and the Link to China
Although perhaps a more recent member of the Asian S&T fan club, Hong Kong has made quick and decisive strides. Indeed, the level and pace of our investments in science and technology are evidence of the confidence we have in the future and the transition to being part of China.
In 1990, we established the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology to serve as a flagship for academic innovation. We are now in the midst of developing a $2.3 billion science park to serve as an industrial anchor for high–tech innovation and manufacturing. In addition to these investments, the Hong Kong government has put in place a series of policy initiatives to more deeply link technology to economic growth.
The Industry Department of the Hong Kong government has established a number of financing strategies to help local manufacturers upgrade their processes and technology. For example, the Cooperative Applied Research and Development Scheme, also known as CARDS, facilitates research relationships in manufacturing between Hong Kong and China. Indeed, CARDS has attracted the attention of both international investors and scientists from around the world who want to be in on the ground floor of the technological advances that may come from Hong Kong's China transition. In addition, seven overseas investment promotion funds have been established around the world to try to attract increasing levels of technology investment to Hong Kong.
Much of the innovation in Hong Kong's industries is a product of the efforts of the Hong Kong Productivity Council. This statutory body is several decades old and was initiated to upgrade the level of R&D in Hong Kong's industry. Many of Hong Kong's industrialists came from China in the 1950s, and their view of industrial development was very, very traditional. By the 1970s, it became clear that competitiveness in virtually all global markets would require a new emphasis on research and on upgrading manufacturing technology throughout the industrial sector. The Productivity Council was created to take on that task, and it is largely responsible for the level of technological advance in industry that is seen in Hong Kong today.
Maintaining Standards
One concern, however, is emerging as we move toward the transfer of sovereignty in 1997. In Hong Kong we have been very careful to establish world–class standards in the economy, with regard to technology, management, finance, and the like. We are all concerned that the transition take place in such a way that Hong Kong and China mutually benefit from their new relationship, but that the standards underpinning our own industrial infrastructure, our R&D, and our human resources remain at the very highest levels.
The "Basic Law" as a Guide far the S&T Future
One of the key assurances in maintaining these standards is in the language of the Basic Law, which sets out the legal parameters for Hong Kong's new relationship with China. The Basic Law is, in effect, a mini–constitution for Hong Kong. It was promulgated after the joint declaration between China and the United Kingdom was signed. Article 139 of the Basic Law deals with science and technology. That article explicitly states that the Hong Kong special administrative region government shall, on its own, formulate policies on science and technology and protect by law achievements in scientific and technological research, patents, discoveries, and inventions. Article 139 further states that, on its own, Hong Kong shall decide on the scientific and technological standards and specifications applicable in Hong Kong.
The operative phrase is this article is "on its own." Many people fear the transition and feel that China will overwhelm Hong Kong. The Basic Law states categorically that Hong Kong will, on its own, formulate policies specifically related to science–based or knowledge–based development. The law guarantees that, in the future, Hong Kong will have the autonomy, flexibility, and authority to follow its own practices and relate to the international community in its pursuit of knowledge–based development.
The Hong Kong Way
What are the characteristics, or standards, of Hong Kong policy that it will continue to pursue? And is there any reason to expect future policy conflicts? I believe closer examination will reveal little for anyone to be concerned about. Hong Kong has approached the considerable problems involved in promoting science and technology in a very sensible way. First and most importantly, Hong Kong has provided a favorable macroeconomic environment by maintaining a strong economy and optimizing public investment. In S&T decisions, we have taken that economic base and approached investments from the point of view of developing consensus between government and industry about what resources and strategies best link S&T to economic growth. The S&T policy emphasis has always been on investment—in science, in technology, in knowledge.
With this strategy, government plays, and will continue to play, the role of catalyst and facilitator. We do not, and will not, play mother hen to industry. We will not interfere in the marketplace.
Hong Kong will continue to explore ways to collaborate with China on science and technology development. We have much to share and much in common. Many opportunities will fit quite well into the Hong Kong emphasis on maximizing investment in knowledge. Indeed, much collaboration is currently under way.
The Case of Chinese Medicine
Chinese medicine provides a concrete example of this type of collaboration. Article 138 of the Basic Law states that Hong Kong shall, on its own, develop Chinese medicine in the same way that it develops Western medicine. There is great international interest in the potential of Chinese medicine, and yet there are many unresolved issues regarding its efficacy and its use in relation to Western medicine. We in Hong Kong are working closely with China on applying the methodology of modern science to the study of Chinese medicine. We have worked with universities and medical schools in Beijing, Shanghai, and Nanjing to examine their process of medical school instruction, which integrates Chinese medicine with Western medicine. We are quietly developing joint projects.
So, at the project level, it is quite clear the S&T collaboration is both possible and fruitful.
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A Concluding Thought
Hong Kong is embracing the future with optimism and energy. Ten years ago, the dominant emotion inside and outside the government was anxiety. Today, anxiety has been replaced with enthusiasm. We recognize that problems will arise. But they can be over come. Regardless of whatever challenges lie ahead, we will continue to maintain our traditions and values. We face the future with a bit of wisdom from Abraham Lincoln in the back of our minds. He once said, "I'm not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I'm not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, stand with him while he is right and part with him when he goes wrong."
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