Hong Kong Laureate Forum that invites more than 200 scientists from different countries officially kicked off in Hong Kong on November 13. Photo: Liu Caiyu/GT

Hong Kong possesses all the ingredients to become an international innovation and technology (I&T) center and within one or two years, fruitful scientific results are expected, said Timothy Tong Wai-cheung, chairman of the Hong Kong Laureate Forum. 

"Hong Kong now has funding, scientific programs, talents and also international partners. With all these ingredients, the city has the confidence to secure a position as an I&T center," Tong, also a former president of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University told the Global Times during the ongoing Hong Kong Laureate Forum held at the Hong Kong Science Park. 

The SAR government is currently working on the establishment of two "InnoHK Research Clusters" at the Science Park. These clusters are focused on healthcare technology, artificial intelligence and robotics technologies. Up to this point, a total of 28 research laboratories have been set up. Additionally, the government is actively considering the development of a third InnoHK Research Cluster, according to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). 

By creating these labs, not only will the Hong Kong government be supporting the development of new scientific findings and new technological developments, but it also is helping to attract other people from all around the world to come to Hong Kong and collaborate with local scientists, Tong noted. 

"In a year or two, I think the general public will begin to see the fruits coming out from these 28 labs," Tong said. 

Tong said that the Hong Kong SAR government has been doing a lot to promote the I&T sector, but more support, including more funding, will always do more.

Though it experienced three years of pandemic, Tong said Hong Kong still stands out in terms of innovation and technology compared with other cities. 

"Hong Kong definitely still has attraction for international talents, and hopefully it will continue to build in the coming years so that people will think of Hong Kong not only has a financial sector but also an international center for science, technology and innovation," Tong noted.

Hong Kong, despite being a small city, has five universities that are globally recognized, making it an attractive destination for international talents to share their scientific endeavors and experiences in the city, Tong explained.

Once president of Hong Kong Polytechnic University for years, Tong also shared his insight with the Global Times about patriotic education in the city.

Tong said it should be intrinsic to anyone growing up in Hong Kong to know the city's history, how it became a colony and how it returned to the motherland in 1997. 

"In order to be patriotic, you need to know your background and the background of the place that you are in," Tong said. "The fact is that the chief executive, in his policy address, emphasized the importance and efforts that will be implemented in this direction. It is a step forward," he added. 

The new policy address proposes several new measures, including the establishment of an office for promoting Chinese culture and the establishment of museums to introduce the history of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), media reports said. 

Tong also defended against media claims saying the increase of faculty members from the mainland is having a negative impact on the city's education sector. He said any university would do better when it has an open-door policy to recruit talents from wherever they come from. 

In Hong Kong universities, academics of Chinese mainland origin this year outnumbered local faculty for the first time, according to universityworldnews.com in May, citing official figures.

"During my time, we always look for the best possible candidate to fill a position. If at the end that person comes from a particular place, so be it. Because that is the best person as judged by an objective review by the university committee."