Hong Kong Rises to Seventh in World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2024, Excelling in Technology and Knowledge.

Hong Kong rose to rank seventh globally in digital competitiveness

In the latest World Digital Competitiveness Ranking (WDCR) 2024 published by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), Hong Kong's ranking improved by three places toseventh globally.

Among the three factors in WDCR 2024, Hong Kong continued to perform well in "Technology" and "Knowledge", ranking third and fifth respectively. Our ranking in "Future readiness" also improved.

A Government spokesman said today (November 14), "The IMD's WDCR 2024 recognised that Hong Kong remains one of the most digitally competitive economies in the world. The National 14th Five-Year Plan indicates clear support for Hong Kong's development into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre. I&T is a core element in cultivating new quality productive forces and also a key impetus for Hong Kong's high-quality economic development. As home to five of the world’s top 100 universities (three of the top 10 in Asia), Hong Kong possesses world-class research and development (R&D) capabilities and I&T infrastructure, as well as a diverse talent pool. A thriving start-up ecosystem, a free, open and fair business environment, a simple tax system with low tax rates, together with strong policy support also position Hong Kong favourably to attract strategic enterprises and top talent from around the world. The abundant networks and opportunities available in Hong Kong, as well as the synergies with sister cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, further enhance our appeal as a leading destination for I&T."

The spokesman added, "The Chief Executive announced in the 2024 Policy Address a series of measures aimed at building a more comprehensive I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong. These initiatives include, for example, establishing the third InnoHK research cluster, drawing up a medium- to long-term plan for the development of new industrialisation, setting up a HK$10 billion I&T Industry-Oriented Fund to channel more market capital to invest in specified emerging and future industries of strategic importance, optimising the Innovation and Technology Venture Fund, and launching the Pilot I&T Accelerator Scheme to attract professional start-up service providers with proven track records to set up accelerator bases in Hong Kong. The Government will continue to enhance the I&T infrastructure, including the first-phase facility of Cyberport's Artificial Intelligence (AI) Supercomputing Centre which will commence operation shortly, and the $3 billion AI Subsidy Scheme now open for applications. Going forward, the HKSAR Government will continue to collaborate with various sectors of the society to further enhance Hong Kong's I&T ecosystem, thereby upholding our competitive edge in the global market and injecting new impetus to economic development."

Remarks by S for S at media session on Lai Chee-ying case

Following are theremarksmadebytheSecretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, at a mediasession on the Lai Chee-ying case thisafternoon (December 15):

Reporter: Firstly, regarding the verdict of this case, does this mean the cases surrounding Apple Daily have officially concluded and there will be no more prosecution in this regard? Secondly, regarding this case attracting heavy international media and political attention, are you worried that this verdict will draw further international sanctions towards Hong Kong, particularly from US President Donald Trump? Thank you.

Secretary for Security: First of all, I do not comment on individual suspects or organisations. For whatever criminal cases, including those relating to national security, if we have evidence, we will arrest (those suspects). If we have sufficient evidence, we will prosecute (suspects). No one is above the law. Regarding the international concerns of this case, I think a lot of foreign consulate staff attending the trial throughout are the witnesses of how open and fair this trial is.

I think this illustrates these kinds of activities, happening in any country, if someone uses the media to try to overturn a regime, I think this is not bearable by every government. I think this case illustrates how safe Hong Kong is and how we are able to interdict all the national security concerns and all the attempts to affect the national security. I think this is a good showcase to show that Hong Kong is safe and it is safe to do investments in Hong Kong.

Reporter: How do you make sure today's verdict does not affect freedom of the press in Hong Kong?

Secretary for Security: First of all, the verdict states very clearly that this is nothing to do with the freedom of press in this case. It is solely because of Lai Chee-ying's utilising of Apple Daily as a platform to advocate his hatred against the Government and his plot to try to overturn our CPG's (Central People's Government) regime.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)