Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said Hong Kong is actively seeking to attract technology talent from the United States amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, as the city intensifies efforts to develop its data industry.
Speaking at the International Data Industry Alliance (IDIA) Global Summit, the finance chief said that US technology talents are prioritizing Hong Kong as their premium relocation destination.
Chan extended a welcome to these talents and reaffirmed Hong Kong's commitment to attracting global tech businesses and talent.
He highlighted the success of the talent scheme, revealing that authorities have approved 310,000 out of 470,000 applications, resulting in over 200,000 new arrivals.
Meanwhile, Chan emphasized Hong Kong's potential to become an international data trading hub, as the government is set to create scenarios for data applications and review laws and regulations that may pose obstacles to development.
The government is developing a data governance framework and enhancing institutional and infrastructural measures to ensure data security, he added.
He further stressed that high-quality, accessible, and well-managed data are crucial for training large language models, emphasizing that Hong Kong's digital strategy is built on openness, global connectivity, and value-creation principles.
Chan also reiterated Hong Kong's unique advantages, noting that the free flow of goods, capital, talent, and data remains essential to the city's competitiveness.
