Hong Kong rose to rank fourth globally in digital competitiveness
In the latest World Digital Competitiveness Ranking (WDCR) 2025 published by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), Hong Kong ranked fourth globally, up further by three places after rising by three places last year.
Among the three factors in WDCR 2025, Hong Kong continued to perform well and remained third and fifth globally in "Technology" and "Knowledge" respectively, while our ranking in "Future readiness" improved notably by five places to tenth. At the sub-factor level, "Technological framework" and "Adaptive attitudes" ranked first globally. "Talent" and "Training and education" ranked among the top five globally.
A Government spokesman said today (November 4), "The IMD's WDCR 2025 continued to recognise Hong Kong as one of the most digitally competitive economies in the world. Our country supports Hong Kong to develop into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been striving to enhance the strategic layout of I&T infrastructure, with three major I&T parks and five key research and development (R&D) institutions as the framework, so as to actively drive I&T development and cultivate new quality productive forces. With the staunch support from our country and Hong Kong's international prospects, coupled with a thriving start-up ecosystem, a free, open and fair business environment, a simple low tax system and strong policy support, Hong Kong is well positioned to attract enterprises, talent and technology from around the world, thereby laying a solid foundation for further advancing the I&T collaboration and development."
The spokesman added, "The Chief Executive announced in the 2025 Policy Address a series of measures aimed at implementing the development of the international I&T centre. To promote R&D, the Government is taking forward the set-up of two pilot lines by the Hong Kong Microelectronics Research and Development Institute, and will complete the preparatory work for the establishment of the Life and Health Technology Research Institute(s) and the Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute within next year. To accelerate the development of 'new industrialisation', we will expedite the development of the third InnoHK research cluster, relax the application threshold for the 'New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme' and launch the 'I&T Industry-Oriented Fund' in 2026-27. The Government will also continue to promote the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and data science industries, guided by the strategy of 'strengthening infrastructure and promoting the application-oriented approach', with a view to achieving 'industries for AI' and 'AI for industries'. On infrastructure, the computing power of Cyberport's AI Supercomputing Centre will be ramped up this year to meet the strong demand from sectors in Hong Kong, complemented by the $3 billion AI Subsidy Scheme that has been launched. The Government has also put up a site of about 10 hectares at Sandy Ridge in the North District for the development of a data facility cluster for open tender. On application, the HKSAR Government will continue promote AI business applications. Besides, the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone will commence operation this year, and the Conceptual Outline of the Development Plan for the Innovation and Technology Industry in the San Tin Technopole will also be published this year. Going forward, the HKSAR Government will continue to promote closer collaboration among the Government and the industry, academia, research and investment sectors, consolidate and enhance our competitive edge in the global market, as well as foster the cultivation of new quality productive forces."
Source: AI-found images
HKSAR Government expresses dissatisfaction with and opposition to unfounded comments by individual so-called human rights experts on Lai Chee-ying case
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (December 24) expressed dissatisfaction with and opposition to the unfounded comments by individual so-called human rights experts after the court of the HKSAR convicted Lai Chee-ying of offences of endangering national security in strict accordance with the law and evidence.
A spokesperson for the HKSAR Government pointed out, "The HKSAR Government noted that individual so-called human rights experts have entirely no respect for the HKSAR court's independent judgment of the case, which had been made on the basis of facts and evidence. They also refused to acknowledge the evidence set out in the reasons for verdict, and refused to understand the court's considerations and the reasons for verdict. Instead, they wantonly launched attacks, slandered and attacked the HKSAR Government, with despicable political manipulations to demand the immediate release of Lai Chee-ying, overriding the rule of law with politics and confounding right and wrong. Their despicable intent to interfere with the court's sentencing has been seen through by all. The HKSAR Government has to refute resolutely to set the record straight."
Court's conviction verdict was entirely free from any political considerations
"The court's reasons for verdict in this case are 855 pages long, which are fully open for public inspection, and include the court's analysis of the relevant legal principles and evidence, as well as the reasons for convicting Lai Chee-ying and the three defendant companies in full detail. The court clearly pointed out in the reasons for verdict that Lai Chee-ying was not on trial for his political views or beliefs. The court's conviction verdict is well-founded and reasoned, fully demonstrating that the court has made its decision on the case strictly in accordance with the law and evidence, free from any interference, and absolutely free of any political considerations."
The spokesperson stressed, "Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law and has always adhered to the principle that laws must be obeyed and lawbreakers be held accountable. Article 5 of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL) and section 2 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) clearly stipulate that the principle of the rule of law shall be adhered to in preventing, suppressing and imposing punishment for offences endangering national security. Any suggestion that certain individuals or organisations should be immune from legal consequences for their illegal acts is no different from advocating a special privilege to break the law, and this totally runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law."
The Lai Chee-ying case has nothing to do with freedom of speech and of the press at all
The spokesman pointed out, "These so-called human rights experts have conflated the criminal acts in this case with freedom of speech and of the press, with the purpose of misleading the public and defaming the HKSAR. In fact, the Lai Chee-ying case has nothing to do with freedom of speech and of the press at all. Over the years, the defendants were using journalism as a guise to commit acts that brought harm to our country and Hong Kong.
"The public trial of this case revealed Lai Chee-ying's close management and hands-on control of the editorial direction of Apple Daily. Lai Chee-ying had repeatedly and personally colluded with foreign forces, begging for sanctions and hostile actions against the Central Authorities and the HKSAR Government. The court clearly pointed out that Lai Chee-ying's only intent, whether pre or post HKNSL, was to seek the downfall of the Communist Party of China, even though the ultimate cost was the sacrifice of the interests of the people of the People's Republic of China and the HKSAR.
"Anyone who vilify the rule of law and human rights situation in the HKSAR using this case is fact-twisting and has no integrity at all. We have to emphasise that the HKNSL and the SNSO clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security. The rights and freedoms, including the freedoms of the press, of speech and of publication, enjoyed by Hong Kong people under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to the HKSAR, are protected in accordance with the law. However, like all other places in the world, journalists, like everyone else, have an obligation to abide by all the laws. According to the principles established by Article 19 of the ICCPR, the European Convention on Human Rights and relevant jurisprudence, when the media and journalists publish opinions, information and articles, they must observe and discharge 'special duties and responsibilities', including the protection of national security and public order; journalists must, in accordance with the tenets of 'responsible journalism', act in good faith on an accurate factual basis and provide reliable and precise information, so as to be entitled to the protection of freedom of speech and press freedom."
The spokesman reiterated, "The HKSAR Government will continue to resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the HKNSL, the SNSO and other relevant laws safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, to effectively prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law, whilst upholding the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents in accordance with the law, so as to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of the principle of 'one country, two systems'. The HKSAR Government urges the relevant so-called human rights experts to understand the facts clearly and stop making any unfounded criticisms."
Source: AI-found images
