[hkskyline]

South China Morning Post
July 12, 1999
Study to focus on hi-tech complex for New Territories

The Government is commissioning a comprehensive study which will focus on the possibility of building a high-technology complex in the northeastern New Territories.

Government sources said the project aimed to accommodate hi-tech and growth industries which could not find room in the $ 13 billion Cyberport in Pokfulam.

"We hope to bring in more innovative ideas or explore new growth industries for the development," a government source said.

While project will look to house information-technology companies, it also would cater to other sectors though the source declined to name them.
The study is focusing on the planning and development of the northeastern New Territories which covers Sha Tin, Tai Po, Fanling and Sheung Shui.

The study, which is scheduled for completion by the end of this year, is the latest move in the Government's efforts to turn Hong Kong into a hi-tech hub.

The idea of building the hi-tech complex is being examined after the Government entertained other such schemes, such as the development of a Chinese medicine centre and a research-and-development-orientated manufacturing centre, during brain-storming sessions, sources said.

The study comes after the Commission on Innovation and Technology announced the US$ 1.2 billion Silicon Harbour which will help transform Hong Kong into a technology hub in three to five years.

Sources said the proposed New Territories development would differ from the science parks in Pak Shek and Tolo Harbour.

They said the new hi-tech complex could offer several advantages.

First, it could encompass a bigger site than the Cyberport in Pokfulam.

"Its proximity to the mainland can also make it easier for mainland hi-tech experts to travel across the border for the project," one source said.

During the study period, various industry players and research organisations would be approached for their opinions on the project, the prospects for creating jobs, and their location preferences.

To attract new growth industries, the preliminary study would also look at the need to improve infrastructure and community facilities in the area, the source said.

The source said the proposed building of the complex meant that the landscape of the surrounding areas would face possible drastic changes but the study would look at the need to improve environmental protection.

 

[hkskyline]

By pippen_33 from dchome :

 

[hkskyline]

Support Grows to Nurture High Tech in Hong Kong
24 April 1997
The Asian Wall Street Journal

HONG KONG -- The Better Hong Kong Foundation added its voice to calls for government action to encourage development of technology here.

A report released by the foundation, funded by local business tycoons, argued the government "must assume leadership" in building a "knowledge base" that would help nurture industry. "This is not intervention in industry but rather building of infrastructure that supports industry," according to the report, written by Kwong Kai Sun, an economics professor at Chinese University of Hong Kong.

The report suggested the government should work harder to attract foreign technology companies to invest in the territory, make it easier for companies to recruit engineers from mainland China to work in Hong Kong, and proceed with a proposed "science park" that would provide space for high-tech industries.

Dr. Kwong argued that Hong Kong's entrepreneurial spirit and highly competitive market give the city natural advantages for "design-intensive" industry. But he said Hong Kong is weak in applied technology, a critical ingredient for design. He pointed to, with approval, Taiwan's success in luring back home Taiwanese engineers who have gained experience abroad.

A report released earlier this month by researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology also argued that Hong Kong's government should develop a science park, improve education and otherwise help foster higher technology in industry.

In recent decades, Hong Kong manufacturers mostly have shunned high technology, preferring to exploit cheap and flexible labor, first in Hong Kong and later at factories across the border in China's Guangdong province. Some economists argue Hong Kong is exhausting its cheap labor pool and needs to pursue technological advantages.

But there has been lively debate here recently about whether the government should play a role in fostering technology.

Shiu Sin Por, executive director of the One Country Two Systems Economic Research Institute, says the academics who favor such government intervention would benefit from it but entrepreneurs here tend to be very skeptical about investing heavily in technology. Others argue Hong Kong has thrived precisely because the government hasn't favored any particular type of industry.

Such debate is simmering among advisers to Tung Chee Hwa, who will serve as chief executive of Hong Kong after China regains sovereignty on July 1.

Another report sponsored by the foundation took issue with official planning for Hong Kong's huge port. It argued Hong Kong doesn't need its 10th and 11th container terminals until 2002 and 2005 -- several years later than the government's Port Development Board has recommended.

The author of the report, Leonard Cheng, associate dean of the University of Science and Technology's School of Business and Management, said his figures indicate the port body's conclusion that Container Terminals 10 and 11 should be ready in 2000 and 2002 was based on incorrect data and projections.

"They grossly underestimated the handling capacity of existing terminals and existing berths," Mr. Cheng said in presenting his study.

Mr. Cheng urged authorities to exercise maximum flexibility in their planning so they can react to changing circumstances in the region. He pointed to the development of other ports in Southern China and said he sees potential for Kaohsiung in Taiwan to supplant Hong Kong as the region's premier port.

 

[hkskyline]

Source : http://www.pbase.com/hkcarris

 

[nazrey]

Source : http://www.pbase.com/hkcarris

Looks like your series of posts are already dead minutes after posting, all coming from the same source but magically split in arrival time. Wonder how they 'disappeared' so quickly?

 

[hkskyline]

Looks like your series of posts are already dead minutes after posting, all coming from the same source but magically split in arrival time. Wonder how they 'disappeared' so quickly?

Nope. I see them. You have to be a bit more patient to let them load.

 

[hkskyline]

Design drives change at Philips - The look of things now matters more than ever for one of the world's biggest electronics companies
29 November 2005
South China Morning Post

Design is increasingly "an agent of change" at Royal Philips Electronics, says Stefano Marzano.

The Dutch conglomerate's chief creative director said industrial design had evolved over the past decade as a differentiating and strategic business competence at Philips, a company once known mainly for its lighting, television and shaving products.

"Whatever we have done is turning up on the bottom line of the company, transforming its culture," said Mr Marzano, who is also chief executive at Philips Design.

Philips is one of the world's biggest electronics companies, with more than 150,000 employees worldwide. The company posted sales of {euro}30.3 billion ($275.25 billion) last year from its more than 60 businesses.

"Design has now become a real driver of innovation," Philips president and chief executive Gerard Kleisterlee said recently.

"I'm talking about design as a closely integrated part of Philips, creating innovative solutions by working together closely with all the businesses by sharing skills, technologies and ideas."

That has led, in recent years, to a restructuring of Philips operations into three main groups: health care, lifestyle and technology. It has also led to the appointment of a chief marketing officer for the first time since the company opened in 1891.

Andrea Ragnetti, chief marketing officer at Philips, said design had provided a sounding board for checking on consistency and user insights in the company's businesses.

With more than 115,000 patents, Philips has long been a leader in various consumer electronics technologies, including television, radio and audio recording. But it is only in recent times that the company has moved to increase its marketing clout through design that competes with firms such as Apple Computer, Sony and Samsung Electronics.

"Back in the 1920s, when the market for electronic goods was relatively new and undeveloped, design was seen by the industry as useful but not essential to the success of a business," Mr Marzano said.

"Customers and consumers are critical and conscious about their needs as markets for most products are saturated. Industries and brands have to focus very carefully on proposing distinct and well-designed products that are relevant and meaningful to their consumers and customers."

His group works with such Philips divisions as medical systems, lighting, domestic appliances, consumer electronics and semiconductors.

Philips Design operates 15 design centres worldwide and runs about 3,000 projects a year. Since 1997, it has been hired to consult with select global partners, including Microsoft, Nike, Hewlett-Packard, Ford and Deutsche Telekom.

"That proves that whatever we have been doing for Philips has not gone unnoticed," Mr Marzano said.

"This also shows that Philips has invested well in design."

During the five-day Business of Design Week conference, which concluded last Wednesday, the Hong Kong Design Centre bestowed on Philips its 2005 "Distinguished Design from China" award for the company's Modea Flat television.

The design for the ultra-slim, liquid crystal display TV was a collaboration between the company's design groups in Hong Kong and Singapore.

The winning design beat nearly 500 other entries from North America, Europe and Asia. Philips also won three silver Hong Kong Designers Association awards.

Hong Kong is the regional headquarters in Asia for Philips Design, which has more than 60 on-site designers in the Philips Electronics Building at the Hong Kong Science Park.

Philips Design in Hong Kong is responsible for developing about 600 projects a year for its Eindhoven-based parent firm and other commercial enterprises.

 

[hkskyline]

DuPont to open solar power research centre
6 May 2008
South China Morning Post

Research on solar power will be launched in Hong Kong next year in a bid to provide renewable energy for the region, after the first Shenzhen-Hong Kong technology partnership deal was sealed yesterday.

The American chemicals giant DuPont will provide laboratories and testing equipment for solar energy research at the Hong Kong Science Park in Tai Po.

At the same time, the Shenzhen government will provide land and other facilities to support the development and manufacture of solar power products, according to the project plan.

Neither government would say how much the project would cost, nor reveal their share of the cost. The project's details would be sorted out later, they said.

The research centre is expected to be functioning within a year, with a production line in Shenzhen to follow.

Rita Lau Ng Wai-lan, permanent secretary for commerce and economic development, said DuPont had been conducting research on solar energy for years and was approaching the production stage.

She insisted that the company had not been given any benefits, such as tax incentives, to attract it to Hong Kong.

Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah said DuPont's decision to locate in Hong Kong reinforced its position as a prime location in the region for innovative firms.

He said he had approached senior DuPont managers in October during a trip to Washington, and company chiefs had later met Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen in Hong Kong.

"The company, as I understand it, considered several regions and cities to locate its global solar energy support centre, and it finally decided last week to set up the business in Hong Kong and Shenzhen," he said.

It is the first collaborative project of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation Circle since it was established a year ago to facilitate research and development of technology.

 

[hkskyline]

Source : http://www.fotop.net/nohead

 

[hkskyline]

Budget speech to push science vision
24 February 2009
The Standard

Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah, a strong believer in scientific development, will tout Phase 4 of the Science Park in his budget speech tomorrow.

A government source said expanding the park would create construction jobs and attract scientific companies to invest.

Tsang, originally a trained architect, is also expected to talk about creative industry in his second budget speech.

The third HK$4 billion phase of the Science Park is expected to be completed in 2012. One million square meters in size, it is intended as a center for the development of renewable energy and biological and environmental technology. The completed park will provide 4,000 jobs.

Phase 2, which opened in 2007, has a 60 percent occupancy rate and includes the Asia Pacific headquarters of Philips. Phase 1, which opened in 2001, is 90 percent occupied.

The park expansion echoes the theme of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation Circle.

But while Beijing has positioned Shenzhen as a hub for digital and telecom technology and Guangzhou as a biotech and medical center in its Pearl River Delta masterplan, Hong Kong does not seem to have a leading role to play in technology in the region.

 

[hkskyline]

Fearful Cyberport takes rental hit
9 March 2009
The Standard

Cyberport is confident of continuing its positive cash position, although rental income is set to be dented by the financial crisis, said Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company chief executive Nicholas Yang.

``We have not seen the worst yet,'' Yang said. ``It's going to be a tough year.''

He expects office rentals to fall by a further 10 percent this year. Rent for commercial space slid 40 percent over the past eight months.

``Unfortunately, we have to follow the market,'' Yang said. Unlike the government project Hong Kong Science Park, Yang said Cyberport is a private limited firm and does not have an official rent level.

Although the economic downturn hit rental income, Cyberport expects sustained growth in operating profit excluding income from its residential project, it said in a report to lawmakers this month.

Yang said the company has cut costs over the past year including its energy bills by 10 percent but it has no plan to sack workers. He said Cyberport had outsourced about 50 jobs since 2003 and now directly employs 50. The office occupancy rate went up to 87.9 percent as of January 31 from 86.8 percent a year earlier.

``We delayed rental payment to help small tenants to weather the financial crisis,'' Yang said. As of January 31, 19 of 52 office tenants were small- and medium-sized enterprises.

The occupancy rate of Cyberport's shopping arcade slid to 83.6 percent in January from 84.8 percent year-on-year, while the number of retail outlets dropped to 29 from 31.

Operating profit before financial cost, tax and depreciation, excluding income from residential project Bel-Air, amounted to HK$103 million for the year ended March 31 last year, nearly triple the HK$36 million a year earlier.

Cyberport has four office buildings, a hotel, an arcade and residences developed by Richard Li Tzar- kai's Pacific Century Premium Development (0432).

 

[hkskyline]

Hong Kong sets up support centre for solar energy R&D
20 March 2009
Channel NewsAsia

HONG KONG: A support centre for solar energy research and development (R&D) is open for business at the Hong Kong Science Park.

The Solar Energy Technology Support Centre is the first major technology project under an agreement known as the "Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation Circle".

The joint venture aims to establish Hong Kong as a research centre, and Shenzhen as the manufacturing base for solar energy. And both Hong Kong and Shenzhen are hailing the centre as a "milestone" in their joint effort to develop renewable energy.

Hong Kong's Chief Executive, Donald Tsang, said: "The opening of both the support centre and the R&D centre marks the start of a new beginning in the advancement of solar energy technology for a cleaner and greener future for our city and our region."

Multinational chemical giant DuPont is the R&D support centre's first anchor tenant.

Known as the Global Thin Film Photovoltaic R&D Centre, it will develop DuPont's technology used in solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity.

Chairman of DuPont, Charles Holliday Jr, said: "The technology that's being launched here and in Shenzhen are the fundamental foundations... that can change our world to a much more sustainable place."

Officials say renewable energy is one of the fastest growing industries in the world, and is forecast to create 1.9 million jobs globally by 2020.

Tsang said: "It is a major investment which will end up with more jobs and greater prosperity for the people of Hong Kong and Shenzhen. I'm very excited about it."

The chief executive hopes Hong Kong will become the natural choice for technological development. He said the city will continue to work closely with Shenzhen to attract more international players to the Pearl River Delta.

 

[hkskyline]

By yayaow from skyscrapers.cn :

 

[hkskyline]

Father of fibre optics arrives in HK
30 January 2010
South China Morning Post

Physics laureate Charles Kao Kuen arrived in Hong Kong yesterday for a series of celebrations to mark his triumph in the 2009 Nobel Prize.

The 75-year-old physicist and his wife are here as guests of the government and Chinese University, where Kao served as vice-chancellor from 1987 to 1996.

The festivities will begin on February 5, when the couple will attend the opening of an exhibition at Chinese University about Kao's work and life. They now live in the San Francisco Bay area. The event will be broadcast live on the university's website.

Kao and his wife will also attend a ceremony to rename the Hong Kong Science Park auditorium - popularly known as the "Golden Egg" owing to its shape - as the Charles K Kao Auditorium and a commemorative stamp design prize presentation.

The authorities are being tight-lipped about the dates and times of the events to protect Kao, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease, from excessive publicity because of concerns about his health.

Kao, known as the "father of fibre-optics", jointly won the Nobel Prize in physics last year for his achievements in the development of fibre-optic communications.

The prize was shared with Willard Boyle and George Smith, who invented the "eye" in digital cameras known as the CCD sensor.

In a statement issued through the Chinese University, the Kaos said: "We've just landed. We are feeling very excited but also a bit tired."

They said they would take part in celebratory activities and meet friends and relatives during their stay.

 

[Ahmad Rashid Ahmad]

Amazing.........:applause:

 

[corredor06]

nice

 

[hkskyline]

By wilfacts from a Hong Kong photography forum :

 

[hkskyline]

Science Park adept in incubating innovators and entrepreneurs
Friday, March 19, 2010
Government Press Release

The Science Park had proven to be adept at not only bringing complementary businesses and facilities together, but also in incubating and nurturing innovators and entrepreneurs, the Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Miss Janet Wong, said today (March 19).

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the Incubation Programme of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Miss Wong said the Incubation Programme, from its inception in 1992, had always been an important part in assisting technology-based companies at the critical start-up stage.

She said, "The programme has successfully incubated more than 230 start-up companies, over 180 of which are still in business today."

Miss Wong pointed out that in the past seven years, incubatees and graduates had filed over 360 intellectual properties, including patents, trademarks and registered designs. Over 160 international and local awards have been won by companies under the programme. Among them, six of the companies graduated today.

In the same period, the graduates had obtained over 180 cases of government funding, and attracted over $665 million in "angel"/venture capital investment. Among them, three graduates have listed on the Hong Kong Exchange.

Miss Wong said, "Innovation and application of technology are the most effective ways to add value to products and services. The Government's commitment to promote this new industry has never been greater. The Science Park is a clear testament to the Government's commitment to promote innovation and technology, and our resolve to advance technology initiatives in a sustainable manner.

"This commitment was further demonstrated in the Financial Secretary's Budget Speech delivered last month. With the joint effort of the Government and the Corporation, the development of Phase 3 of the Science Park will be transformed into reality very shortly."

Apart from infrastructure, the Government is also providing various types of financial support to the technology sector. A scheme under the Innovation and Technology Fund, the Small Entrepreneur Research Assistance Programme (SERAP), provides pre-venture capital stage financing to support technology entrepreneurs to carry out research and development work for starting new businesses and conducting market validation.

"A grant of up to $4 million will be provided on a dollar-for-dollar matching basis. SERAP has helped many of your predecessors successfully pursue their dreams," Miss Wong said.

 

[hkskyline]

Tenants proof of the kind of 'science' done at Science Park
22 July 2010
SCMP

We welcome the following companies who have joined the Science Park community...

Science Park advertisement, July 20

The people at Science Park tend to get upset when I say there is little science done there and most of the tenants are private sales and management offices that we subsidise through the public purse.

You have us all wrong, I'm told.

Right then, here we have a test of the matter in 18 new tenants over the last six months:

Micrel Semiconductor HK Ltd - A Taiwanese producer of integrated circuits with headquarters and production facilities in California. A September press release says the company has appointed a new managing director with responsibility for revenue and sales in the Asia-Pacific, John Lee, a native of Hong Kong. I call this a sales office. Prove me wrong.

Sensixa (H.K.) Ltd - A graduate of a technology incubator at Imperial College, London, this company has just developed a fancy heart monitor and is starting up a sales effort. Does Imperial College ask Science Park for help in developing technology? I call this a sales office.

Syabas Technology Hong Kong Ltd - A possible one. Syabas is a California-based maker of media players and says it has design offices in Penang, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. I don't know what Syabas means by design but I cannot disprove an element of technology here.

Telefield Ltd - From the company website: "... in addition to our headquarters in Hong Kong, we have our R&D centre in Shenzhen, China to provide support for EMS. Our manufacturing arms are in Guangzhou and Huizhou, China." Is management a science?

UniHz International Ltd - A Shenzhen-based manufacturer of electronic equipment for traffic cops. The most up-to-date website says it is headquartered in Hong Kong. Earlier ones all say Shenzhen. We shall call this a sales and management office.

Well Electronics (International) Ltd - A low-end Taiwanese manufacturer of electric this, that and anything else with additional production facilities in Vietnam. My guess is that this is a sourcing office looking at China. But prove me wrong, fellas. Show me that there is some real science in this metal basher.

Ewell Hong Kong Ltd - I shall let them have this one, a Hong Kong-based start-up that uses Motorola equipment to provide a small private hospital in Sha Tin with real-time clinical information on patients.

It's legit but it's tiny, tiny, tiny.

Kalloc Studios Asia - A boiler-room animation coding shop for a California-based computer games company. I rate this as an application of existing technology, nothing new. If this is science then call me a scientist. I use a computer, too.

Xgate Corporation - From the website: "... provides enterprise class SMS gateway and bulk SMS messaging services with direct connections into mobile operator networks in Greater China and Asia." Why not offer subsidised rent to every telecommunications service provider in town if this one can have it?

YiYi Hong Kong Ltd - Another telecommunications service provider. This one should have been based in Lan Kwai Fong.

Ample Link International Holdings Ltd - Press the button marked "What We Do" on this company's website and you get the message: "Forbidden You don't have permission to access /whatwedo/ on this server." I suppose I have to give this one a "possible" rating.

Leach International Asia Pacific Ltd - An American maker of switching equipment with manufacturing facilities in United States, France, Mexico and China and an Asia-Pacific headquarters in Hong Kong. I call this a sales management office.

Asia Pioneer International Ltd - This company will store and culture your stem cells for you. I see no technology development here but this is true believer territory and I don't need the grief.

Hong Kong Cord Blood Corporation Ltd - Real true believer territory. I'm outta here.

Fudan Health International (HK) Ltd - Genetic research mostly. It's a mainland-based company but we'll call it legit. They seem to run some verifiable laboratories at Science Park.

PuraPharm International (H.K.) Ltd - A mainland manufacturer of Chinese medicine. It claims some research and development in Hong Kong but can tell us little about this. I shall give it a "possible" rating but I say it's mostly a sales office.

Trony Solar Holding (Hong Kong) Ltd - A Shenzhen photovoltaics maker that suddenly developed a head office in Hong Kong and started scratching its head to come up with research projects that would justify a Science Park tenancy. You've been spotted, fellas.

Ma Tang & Co - A law office. Really.

Well, there you go, two legitimate technology tenancies and three possible ones, perhaps five. The rest should have been told to find themselves a normal commercial landlord.

I say again that there is little science done at Science Park and most of the tenants are private sales and management offices that we subsidise through the public purse.

 

[hkskyline]

Technology park has stringent admission criteria for tenants
31 July 2010
SCMP

I refer to Jake van der Kamp's column ("Tenants proof of the kind of 'science' done at Science Park", July 22) regarding the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, which requires clarification.

The corporation is fully dedicated to providing infrastructure and services that enable Hong Kong to become a technology hub for electronics, information technology and telecommunications, precision engineering, biotechnology and green technology - the five technology clusters.

As part of this dedication, the corporation thoroughly vets all companies seeking to enter the science park, ensuring that they meet strict admission criteria, including its requirements in research and development.

In addition to being involved in one of the technology clusters, companies must place knowledge-based innovation functions that encompass decision-making, research, product and market development, advanced manufacturing, customer support and associated services as a significant part of their operation in the science park.

Due diligence is practised, ensuring that every company entering the science park abides by such requirements.

There are 13 professional services companies in the park that provide value-added services (for example, legal, accounting, training, design and marketing) as they are deemed necessary for supporting the needs of technology companies.

The corporation is financially responsible for its own profit and losses, and it offers rental rates that are market-competitive and are set by the board of directors with reference to studies made by independent surveyors.

Also, leasing terms are comparable to common commercial leases.

While the corporation does provide office space for companies, that is just one of its many functions.

Incubation programmes for start-ups, clustering of multinational and local technology companies to promote innovation, and fostering interest in science and technology among young people are some of the corporation's other important roles.

As of June, the Hong Kong Science Park was home to 311 technology companies, providing close to 8,000 jobs of which 65 per cent are R&D related.

Hence, the corporation operates on various levels to assist Hong Kong's progress towards becoming an innovation and technology hub.

E. Anthony Tan, chief executive officer, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation