Help China overcome ‘weaknesses’ to become global tech power, ex-minister Wan Gang asks Hong Kong innovators
Former national science and technology minister lays bare China’s scientific shortcomings in candid assessment, but says city can play key role in country’s ambitions
China has “weaknesses” hobbling its ambition to be a global tech power, former science and technology minister Wan Gang said on Wednesday in a candid assessment as he appealed to Hong Kong innovators to help fill the gaps and collaborate with their mainland counterparts.
The mainland still had room to improve in areas such as basic research, grooming of scientific talent, and forging international partnerships, said Wan, a vice-chairman of the country’s top advisory body, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
And Hong Kong could step up to the plate and help the mainland given its track record and talent pool of top-quality scientists, he said.
“Hong Kong is strong in scientific research, the finance and service industries, and in the city’s internationalisation and global perspective.
“Hong Kong has an internationalised intellectual property protection system … The city is also the connector between the mainland and the world,” he added, during an hour-long speech at a forum organised by Our Hong Kong Foundation.
The think tank is chaired by the city’s former leader Tung Chee-hwa, who is also a CPPCC vice-chairman.
