Quality Alchemist (品質煉金術師): HKTDC Global New Economy Prospective Forum (環球新經濟前瞻論壇) in Zhuhai

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Guangdong Provincial Department of Commerce (廣東省商務廳) coorganized a forum named “Global New Economy Prospective Forum (環球新經濟前瞻論壇)” and supported by Zhuhai Municipal Government (珠海市人民政府). The forum aimed to share views on new technologies, new industries and new economies such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, 5G, etc. I was honor to be invited by Prof. Guo Chaoyun (郭超雲) (Visiting Professor, 北京理工大學珠海學院中國管理科學研究院; 珠海市人民政府) to attend this forum.

I took a photo with Prof. Guo Chaoyun (郭超雲) and Ms. Liu Hui (劉惠) (Chairlady, Guangzhou Extenics Information Technology Co., Ltd.).

I also met their daughter Ms. Guo Jiayong (郭嘉詠) (GM, Zhuhai M&G Education Science and Technology Co., Ltd.).

In the beginning, Ms. Margaret Fong (方舜文) (Executive Director, HKTDC) gave welcome speech. She briefed the role of HKTDC and their service included promoting innovation, technology, marketing and startup in Hong Kong to GBA and the world. After the open of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, both trading activities would be expected increasing more and more.

Mr. Chen Yuehua (Guangdong Provincial Department of Commerce) (廣東省商務廳副廳長陳越華) gave an opening speech. He said Hong Kong and Guangdong was very close and activities between two places were frequently. Difference policies were established and issued to enhance the cooperation level. Recently, HKUST planned to open a new campus in the Nansha (南沙) Free Trade Zone of Guangzhou.

Mr. Yu Wu (Vice Mayor of Zhuhai City) (珠海市副市長閻武) gave an opening speech. He said Zhuhai was one of earliest special regions in China and to have good eco-environment. Hong Kong is the number one investment in Zhuhai. They would like to enhance the innovation and entrepreneur ecosystem for more investment especially on innovation, technology, culture and tourism, etc.

The first session named “The breaking of new economy and empowering the Greater Bay Area” (新經濟破局，賦能大灣區) which was moderated by M. Nicholas Kwan (關家明) (Director of Research, HKTDC).

The first keynote speaker was Mr. Qing Wei (偉青) (National Technology Officer, Public Sector, Microsoft (China) Co., Ltd.). Firstly, he raised a question that “Intelligence + Artificial” let people felt futuristic and cool; but “Flavor + Artificial” didn’t and people thing they needed organic.

Then Mr. Wei used Mr. Mat Velloso joke that using Python is Machine Learning but using PPT is AI, indicated that AI must be practicable and implemented in real situation.

After that Mr. Wei asked us to listen what scientist said. He quoted Geoffrey Hinton that he was deely suspicious of backpropagation and said “My view is throw it all away and start again.” Mr. Wei then added “The technology is for use. It is not for chatting or buzzword, not even used for publicity stunt.” (技術是拿來用的, 不是拿來吹的, 更不是拿來炒的.)

Finally, Mr. Wei quoted their CEO speech in Microsoft Ignite 2018 that the history of technology can’t be image at the time until new era happened. Lastly, Mr. Wei used 1234 to explain how to understand AI below.

1 – One Centre: Application oriented

2 – Two Basic Points: Computer Science and Brain Neural Science

3 – Three Capability: Basic capability, General capability and Industry capability

4 – Four Supporting Pillars: Talent, Data, ~~Computing Power and Algorithm~~ (Pain Point and Ecosystem)

However, Mr. Wei changed the last two elements of Four Supporting Pillars from Computing Power and Algorithm to Pain Point and Ecosystem.

At the end, Mr. Wei introduced different Microsoft AI service and Microsoft AI Business School. Using AI, he proposed to re-engineer your process and digital business process re-engineering (Digital BPR) would be popular again.

Dr. Claudia Xu (徐建) (Chief Commercial Officer, HKSTP) was the second keynote speaker and her presentation named “Greater Bay Area”. Firstly, she briefed cities characteristics and roles in GBA. Then she compared with San Francisco Bay Area, New York Metropolitan Area and Tokyo Bay Area that GBA had advantages in many factors.

Then Dr. Xu introduced the key science parks in the region of GBA which formed innovation and technology corridor.

And then she mentioned Hong Kong government investment on Innovation and Technology upto HKD 50.8B. Moreover, she quoted investhk 2018 that our startup ecosystem was the most active in the world. We had 7 unicorns.

Finally, Dr. Xu introduced HKSTP services and focused technologies, as well as government policy on Air@InnoHK and Health@InnoHK. One of service named idm2 (meaning Idea, Design, Manufacturing and Marketing).

The third keynote speaker was Mr. Duncan Chiu (邱達根) (Chairman, HKITJC) and his topic named “Using HK advantage to enhance the development of GBA Innovation and Technology”. In July 2018, the HKITJC worked with the One Country, Two Systems Research Center to compile the "Innovative Technology Development in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Role and Opportunities of Hong Kong". Mr. Duncan Chiu said one of advantages was Hong Kong’s universities. Some of them established research centers in Shenzhen and GBA.

Another important factor was Venture Capital and ITC established HKVCA on 2017 to enhance innovation and technology investment ecosystem.

Finally, he briefed our unicorns and the technologies trend included Fintech, Biotechnology, AI and Smart City.

The second session named “New Economy and Startup Incubation: Future Unicorn” (新經濟與初創培育:未來獨角獸) which was moderated by Mr. Duncan Chiu (邱達根) (Chairman, HKITJC).

The fourth speaker was Mr. Silas Chu (朱耀昌) (GM, HKTDC (Japan)) and he introduced the Tokyo Bay Area characteristics and core position.

Then Mr. Silas Chu quoted WIiPO 2018 region innovation cluster index that Tokyo- Yokohama is number 1 and Shenzhen-Hong Kong is number 2. However, the most innovation public organization was found that 2 of Japan public organization located in top 5. Now, Japan focused on Society 5.0.

After that Mr. Chu introduced the startup ecosystem in Japan and they identified five key areas. It is surprised that only one unicorn in Japan named “Preferred Networks” for AI and IOT technology. Mr. Chu explained it was the culture different that most of startup go to stock market (70% startup). Finally, their four areas could be cooperation between two Bay Areas and they were Advanced Manufacturing, Smart City, Transportation and Health Care for Elderly.

The fifth speaker was Mr. Lu Yifeng (盧逸峰) (HKTDC(USA)) and his talk named “Silicon Village New Economic and Startup Ecosystem”. Firstly, he introduced the silicon village location and features. Silicon village is equal to world-wide innovation brands.

Then he introduced the startup ecosystem in Silicon Village included corporate, startup, entrepreneur, venture capital, talent pool, mentor and innovator. They connected to the world R&D laboratory, ventures and partnership. They all had entrepreneurship spirit. In 2019, they had totally 40 unicorns in the world.

After that Mr. Lu introduced some mainland companies had R&D laboratories in Silicon Village. However, it needed to pass national security on emerging or foundational technology during the period trade war. Lastly, he said to use HK advantages and to benchmark Silicon Village to develop GBA. It suggested to focus on medical and biotech, environmental technology, consumer technology, digital entertainment and fintech, etc.

Mr. David Marsden (HKTDC(UK)) was the last speaker and his topic was “UK Startup Ecosystem”. He said UK government through “Innovate UK” under UKRI to assist startup. Overall, UK had 250 incubators and 163 accelerators.

Then Mr. David Marsden introduced L39 which established in 2013 with 1250 members and 220 companies covered 48 countries.

Finally, Mr. David Marsden said UK had 13 unicorns. But they faced on Brexit that had uncertainty within 2-5 years. It may be opportunities on GBA to attract UK startup move-in.

I would like to share my experience to attend this forum using Hongkong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (港珠澳大橋). It is very convenience! There are several bus to go to the Hongkong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port.