Charles Mok (right) thinks Hong Kong has a long way to go before it challenges Silicon Valley. Pro-democratic technology lawmaker Charles Mok Nai-kwong said Hong Kong has a long way to go to catch up to Silicon Valley as an innovation centre.
This came after Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s claims it was possible, at the Hong Kong Canadian Chamber of Commerce on October 23.
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“Hong Kong has its strengths and unique advantages [to succeed like Silicon Valley], in terms of the rule of law, IP protection, international perspective and most important of all, five distinguished universities which are in the top 100,” Lam said.
She added that Hong Kong should look across the border into Shenzhen, Dongguan and Zhongshan for assistance in advanced manufacturing., which would “provide far more business opportunities for Hong Kong.”
Mok strongly disagrees with Lam’s comments: “My first reaction is that Hong Kong cannot become the next Silicon Valley. Many have said they want to do well like Silicon Valley in those areas, but it is so unique that no one has come close to it for decades.” Mok refused to clarify whether his comments were in response to Lam’s comments.
“The first thing if we are to learn from the US model, is to decide what level of government involvement we want. The US model is more private sector driven,” Mok added.“We are actually not following a US model, but rather more of a Singaporean or even China model. By this, I mean China and Singapore both have a top-down, bureaucratic, government-driven policies – a planned economy.
“I believe in a free Economy.” he said.