Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong spoke today at a session on the Spirit of the President's Important Speech held by the Innovation, Technology & Industry Bureau at the Central Government Offices.

President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

During that speech, Prof Sun said in addition to acknowledging the rapid growth of Hong Kong's innovation and technology (I&T) industry, President Xi encouraged citizens to leverage on the motherland's support and connection with the world to keep creating a strong impetus for growth and address earnestly people's concerns and difficulties in daily life.

In the course of his inspection of the Hong Kong Science Park, the President mentioned that the country's full support for developing the city into an international I&T hub has been included in the 14th Five-Year Plan.

Prof Sun said the President’s encouragement to scientific researchers also fully demonstrated the importance attached to and acknowledgement placed on Hong Kong's I&T development by the country which gave the city the determination.

He also pointed out that to further enhance the city's I&T ecosystem, Hong Kong has to consolidate its strengths in research and development capabilities and facilitate collaborative development among industry, academia and research institutes.

“We should further deepen I&T co-operation with the Mainland, proactively align with the 14th Five-Year Plan and integrate into national development.

“We also need to expedite the I&T development in Hong Kong to fully enhance competitiveness, promote diversity in our economic development and create more quality employment opportunities for young people, with a view to enhancing the quality of life of the community and enabling members of the public to better perceive benefits brought about by technology development in society.”

Prof Sun encouraged colleagues to formulate and implement policies by adopting a result-oriented approach, and being pragmatic, bold and committed. He added that they should also heed people's concerns with determination and actively devise development plans for Hong Kong.

Around 160 people attended the session. Such participants were from the bureau and its departments, including the Innovation & Technology Commission, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and the Efficiency Office.

Additionally, President Xi raised "four musts" for the Hong Kong SAR Government in his important speech: it must fully and faithfully implement the principle of "one country, two systems"; it must uphold the central government's overall jurisdiction while securing the Hong Kong SAR's high degree of autonomy; it must ensure that Hong Kong is administered by patriots; and it must maintain Hong Kong's distinctive status and advantages.

He also laid down "four proposals" for the Hong Kong SAR Government, ie further improving its governance, continuing to create a strong impetus for growth, earnestly addressing people's concerns and difficulties in their daily life and working together to safeguard harmony and stability.