Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa told this to Dr David Ho, director of the US-based Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, which had signed an agreement with the University of Hong Kong to establish an AIDS institute at its new medical complex.

During the meeting, Tung said, "I am pleased to see more and more talented research scientists from around the world being attracted to Hong Kong to work here. It is important to draw talents who would be able to contribute to enhancing the competitive edge of Hong Kong, particularly in knowledge-intensive, high value-added activities."

Tung noted that a respectable science base had been built up in Hong Kong over the past five years as a result of sustained government efforts and increased public recognition that innovation and technology hold the key to the future of Hong Kong.

"We have seen internationally competitive research work, both basic and applied, from one of the smallest nanotubes in the world to the breakthrough discovery and use of maternal plasma DNA for the diagnosis of fetal deformities without the need for dangerous conventional methods," he said.

He pointed out that a lot of resources had been devoted to support research and development over the past five years in areas such as the creation of the Innovation and Technology Fund of 5 billion HK dollars (US$640 million) and the establishment of the Applied Science and Technology Research Institute.

Tung reiterated that in his second term he would continue to promote innovation and technology and to spearhead Hong Kong's drive to become a world-class, knowledge-based economy.

The AIDS institute, equipped with state-of-the-art research facilities, will conduct basic research on HIV, create and design new therapies for the infection, and develop AIDS vaccines for China and the world.

(China Daily July 6, 2002)