Working Report of
Legislative Councilor Samson Tam Wai Ho
(Information Technology)(December 2010) 中文 I. Focus Updates1. What opportunity the Lok Ma Chau Loop Development can offer to Hong Kong?河套區發展可以為香港提供甚麼機遇？
How does the IT Sector take the development of the Lok Ma Chau Loop (the Loop), and how could we grab and participate in the development opportunity? My Office jointly with the Hong Kong Information Technology Joint Council, the Hong Kong Computer Society and the Internet Professional Association and others, convened a discussion forum on 20 December 2010. Guests attending the forum included the Acting Deputy Director of Planning Department Mr LING Kar Kan. He first introduced the leading land use of the Loop will be for higher education, supported and complimented with advanced science and high-tech research and development facilities as well as cultural and creative industries. Those attending the forum expressed concerns and urged the Government to pay attention on a few issues, namely, (i) What are the development objectives of the Loop? (ii) How could we define clearly the present and future needs of Hong Kong? (iii) What are the respective strengths of Shenzhen and Hong Kong, and how could they work with and complement each other, to produce a synergized effect? Many are of the view that we cannot decide the future development using our present judgment. For Shenzhen and Hong Kong, the obvious trend is knowledge based economy, and the key is gathering and nurturing talents. The Loop offers the best advantage under the One Country Two System basis for Hong Kong to collaborate with Shenzhen, to attract international corporate to set up data centres or research headquarters, and build a fort for mainland IT firms to reach to global scene. This will in turn create more job opportunities and retain our IT talents. I reiterate that the Loop development should (i) focus on upgrading the competitiveness of Hong Kong, thus consolidate its strategic position, (ii) encourage participation of the IT Industry and (iii) push for its early implementation.
2. Police considers having the Technology Crime Division to centralize getting from website hosts on information of internet users警方考慮由科技罪案組統一向網站索取網民資料
With the popular use of web 2.0, visits to discussion forums on the web have also increased. The contents of these discussions and expression of views are indeed law bound. In the past, police through different police stations might separately asked registered hosts of respective websites to provide identity details of web-users alleged of posting information or expressing views that contravene the laws. In this regard, together with the representatives from OSPA, I met with the Senior Superintendent of Police of the Commercial Crime Bureau, Mr CHOW Oi-wang, and representative of its Technology Crime Division on 9 December 2010. We discussed the approach and procedures Police solicits identity information of internet users from website hosts, and details of collaboration between the Police and the website hosts; and requested a centralized approach from the Technology Crime Division. In response, the Police requested a contact point of the counterpart from the industry to enable a more efficient mutual communication.
3. OSP requests the Equal Opportunity Commission to provide a ‘Safe Harbour’ for Web 2.0網上服務供應商希望平機會就Web 2.0平台提供「安全港」
In respect of possible prosecution of OSP by the EOC on internet users’ exchanges and expression of views in discussion forums, I, jointly with representatives from OSP, met with the EOC Commissioner Mr LAM Woon Kwong on 23 December 2010. The industry sector would like the EOC to set out a guidance framework on discussions and expression of views on the internet, including the possibility of providing a ‘Safe Port’, to facilitate management by and protection of the industry sector. Mr LAM iterated that the EOC will strive to act by established principles, and will not impose restrictions on discussions and expression of views on internet unnecessarily. He expects self-discipline and restraints from internet users.
4. The RTHK will Install Media Asset Management System
港台將設置媒體資產管理系統
The Panel on IT and Broadcasting of the LegCo at its meeting on 10 December 2010 discussed the issues on fees on using bandwidths, and on RTHK installing a Media Asset Management system. I am concerned about the safekeeping, disposal and use of the old media archives and tapes, upon digitalization of the data and information. There is also a compatibility issue in respect of the Media Asset Management system with other systems overseas. In response, the Assistant Director of Broadcasting (Radio), RTHK, Mr TAI Keen-man, said some of the 16mm movie copies will be handed over to the Hong Kong Film Archive or the Government, and some will be displaced in public areas for public enjoyment. At present, the RTHK is conducting internal consultation on the media asset management system; it will also make reference to overseas experience.
5. Visit to the Direction Association For the Handicapped to understand needs of the severely disabled訪問路向四肢傷殘人士協會，了解嚴重傷殘人士需求
On 21 December 2010, I visited the Direction Association For the Handicapped, and understand more about the needs of and problems encountered by the severely disabled in respect of IT applications and facilities. The chairman of the Association Mr LEE Yuen-tai pointed out that some severely disabled could not afford buying their own computers and internet service fees. He would expect the Government to relax the application requirements of the Central Fund for Personal Computers, to enable the unemployed are still eligible to apply. In addition, he would also like the Government to relax or remove the eligibility criterion of total assessable monthly household income for the disabled on application for CSSA (Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme), so that the disabled can make his/her separate application, to help cover expenses for medical consultations and purchase of wheelchairs. In addition, the Internet development has created more job opportunities so that the disabled can work at home with the aid of computers. I think the Government should boost support and employment opportunities to the disabled in respect of providing IT and computer skills training and allowances for computer hardware and software purchase.
6. SCAD’s case – Nurture of creative talents從薩凡納學院看創意人才的培育
Recently, I, together with friends in the IT and creative culture industry, visited the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). The SCAD is a non-profit making university, and has its Asia branch school recently established in the re-vitalized ex-North Kowloon Magistrate Court Building. It plans to set up in this new branch an Asian digital media research centre, to help synergize development of the creative industry in Hong Kong. I notice the success of the SCAD in various places around the world builds on its focus of guiding students to explore and experience the local ancient culture and relics, which excites creativity and inspirations. In breeding creative talents by this approach by itself is obviously very inspiring and thought provoking.
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