The Pulse：National funding available for HK hi-tech industries: interview with Nicolas Yang, Sec. fo

Hello and welcome to The Pulse. The science and technology gap between the world’s two largest economies, the United States and China, is narrowing.
Recent studies show that China is catching up to the U.S. in developing artificial intelligence or AI, big data, intellectual property, computing, and in space and military technologies. Last year, China’s total spending on research and development is estimated to have hit 1.76 trillion yuan, around 2.1% of its gross domestic product. The aim is to make the country a major power in technological innovation, by 2050. And – apparently - Hong Kong’s hi-tech industries have a part to play. Joining me now is Nicolas Yang, Secretary for Innovation and Technology to talk more about it.
Journalists working in mainland China encounter all sorts of challenges. In the past week alone, reporters from two local media organisations were roughed up in Sichuan and Beijing. Chief Executive Carrie Lam says she feels sorry that such an incident happened to media workers but then qualified that by adding “each village has its own rules, whether it is reporters or government officials, we all need to abide by local laws”. Nice to know your leaders have your back. Goodbye.