The Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) formally submitted recommendations for the 2022 Policy Address during the public consultation period. The submission encompasses Hong Kong’s innovation and technology (I&T) development and progress towards being a carbon-neutral city, the Belt and Road, and how the higher education system can support Hong Kong’s I&T integration into the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the Nation’s development.
The key recommendations of the PReCIT are as follows:
- Strengthening Hong Kong’s Progress as an International Innovation & Technology Hub to Foster the Development of a Carbon-neutral City
As a renowned international financial centre currently growing into the area of green and sustainable finance, Hong Kong can further develop into a global carbon trading centre to attract international capital and meet the huge demand for global transformation funds by supporting the financial ecosystem’s transition towards carbon neutrality.
This can be accomplished by establishing a real-time carbon tracking and monitoring system, a market-driven carbon emission auction mechanism, and an environmental information disclosure mechanism that complies with international standards.
PReCIT has thus advised the Government to provide more research funding to local universities to develop carbon-neutral technologies and innovations, and should also strengthen the development of renewable energy and the promotion of green technology and green electric vehicles.
As ongoing geographical tensions may affect European countries’ commitments to achieving carbon neutrality, the HKSAR Government is suggested to monitor the situation closely to ensure that our carbon neutrality goals and market can maintain resilience.
- Seizing Global Opportunities to Foster I&T Development in Hong Kong
A university town in the Northern Metropolis, close to the Mainland, is proposed to enable interdisciplinary research collaboration and communication between universities and the industry across the border, channelling and pooling talents and R&D outcomes for commercialisation, as well as unleashing the potential of the GBA’s economy.
The Government is advised to create a favourable environment for attracting global I&T talents and encouraging tech giants to relocate their headquarters to Hong Kong or to build local research laboratories. To improve the I&T ecosystem, it is recommended that the Government promotes research applications by enhancing collaboration among universities, the five government-funded R&D institutions and industry. The Government must also revamp the current tendering and listed supplier system to enhance wider adoption of I&T products from our start-ups into government projects.
The Mainland has a large market and actively provides space and supportive policies for talents and enterprises. In contrast, Hong Kong has high-level scientific research talents with rich experience in basic research and quality control. Hong Kong and the Mainland could complement their respective strengths and jointly enhance the entire I&T industry chain and promote academic and research collaboration with the Belt and Road countries.
The Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Director of PReCIT stated he looks forward to the supportive policies from the central government and the HKSAR Policy Address that will further reinforce Hong Kong’s development into an international I&T hub. PolyU will be dedicated to driving I&T development in Hong Kong through propelling excellent education and impactful interdisciplinary research.
Meanwhile, the Co-Director of PReCIT and Head of the Department of Applied Social Sciences of PolyU noted that talent is the key element for Hong Kong’s I&T development. He looks forward to the Policy Address’s new initiatives on the talent pool that will encourage young people to participate in innovation and the Nation’s development, bringing about long-term prosperity to the city.
Founded in 2022, PReCIT is a university-level interdisciplinary policy research centre. The primary areas of its research include carbon-neutral cities, Greater Bay Area I&T development, and the Belt and Road Initiative in Southeast Asia.
Poly is keen to work in the public sector field and has worked with other agencies and institutes. OpenGov recently reported on a partnership to establish the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Wuxi Institute of Science and Technology Innovation, teaching and research centre, an innovation R&D platform and an innovation and entrepreneurship base in stages.