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Following is the full text of the speech (English only) delivered by the Financial Secretary, Mr Donald Tsang, at the opening ceremony of CUHK Management Leadership Training Programme for the New Century 2000 today (July 17):
Professor [Ambrose] King, Mr Tong, Students, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Thank you for asking me to speak at this function which brings together so many young people from different parts of China. It reminds me of when I was young more years ago than I care to remember. However, it is a truism that you are as old as you feel. And today, being in your midst, I'm feeling youthful again!
I'm also feeling just a little envious because of the range of opportunities that are available to young people today to make the most of their abilities and to take their place in what will be the high-tech world of the 21st century. The future of our country, China, rests on your shoulders and the thousands of students like yourselves. That these opportunities have arisen is largely because of the hard work and, in many cases, the sacrifices made by your parents and others dedicated to building the kind of society that we now have. I think it was the noted American author and columnist, Walter Lippmann, who once said, "the final test of a leader is that he leaves behind in other men [and women] the conviction and the will to carry on".
And all of you will have the chance to ultimately take that final test. It will be a challenge, but I believe that by your presence here today you have already demonstrated your commitment and determination to excel in your chosen careers. In the months and years ahead, I am convinced that you will acquire the knowledge, integrity, understanding and vision necessary to achieve the goals you have set yourselves for the future good of our country.
I am delighted that for the first time the Management Leadership Training Programme has included a group of students from Taiwan. You are joining your counterparts from 19 elite universities and colleges in the mainland of China and about 100 students from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. For the next two weeks all of you will be able to observe and learn at first hand developments in Hong Kong's trade, industry, financial services and information technology sectors. This will give you an insight into the backbone of our economy and help you to understand more about this wonderful city.
The visits and exchange activities will, I hope, widen your horizons, increase your knowledge and help you to develop a comprehensive and global outlook. And I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Kowloon Chamber of Commerce for providing this invaluable opportunity for students for the third consecutive year.
This is the type of programme that is so essential to help build strong leadership. It gives students from different backgrounds and regions, exposure to lifestyles and systems that may not be so familiar to them. At the same time, Hong Kong students also benefit tremendously from inter-action with students from other parts of China.
That's one of the reasons why we have introduced a policy to develop Hong Kong into a regional centre of excellence for higher education. An integral component of this initiative is the pilot scheme we started last year to admit up to 150 outstanding students from the Mainland to our undergraduate courses, each year for three years. The admission of students from other cities and countries stimulates the interchange of skills and ideas. It also injects an element of healthy competition for local students and broadens their outlook on the Mainland and the region as a whole.
And it seems to be working well. I understand that the students coming from the Mainland have not encountered any significant problems in adjusting to their life in Hong Kong. Not only are they performing well in their studies, with quite a number achieving outstanding results in their first semester, but our own students have found their counterparts hard-working, serious in their learning, and mature. These traits, I'm told, are having a positive influence on our students.
But influences flow both ways, and Mainland students have been impressed by the creativity, liveliness and flexibility of their hosts. In other words, the pilot programme is so far achieving its objectives. Nearly 1,300 students from the Mainland are currently taking part in undergraduate, postgraduate or research programmes at various universities in Hong Kong. The cross-fertilisation of ideas and information flowing from this will further stimulate the education process.
There is no doubt people are our most important asset. Hong Kong would not be where it is today - the world's 10th largest trading entity and a leading global financial centre - if it were not for our highly motivated and entrepreneurial people. And while we are committed to nurturing local talents through an improved education system, we will continue to open our doors to talented people from all countries.
We must have enough people of the right calibre in our workforce if we want to continue to have a vibrant economy and to broaden our economic base. To assist in this process, we have implemented a scheme to attract talents from outside Hong Kong, particularly those from the Mainland, who have the expertise and skills not readily available here. The aim is for them to help us develop a richer and broader economy that has a greater high-tech and higher value-added content. The scheme has been operating for seven months and so far we have received over 260 applications. The programme is still in its infancy and we are looking to attract additional talented people as the scheme becomes more widely known and recognised. So, who knows, if you have the skills required and a sponsor, you might find yourselves back in Hong Kong in no time!
It's not surprising that the majority of those who have so far been accepted under the scheme are working, or will be working, in the field of information and communication technology. This is one area where our economy has begun to take off. It follows the Chief Executive's announcement in 1997 of his plan to develop Hong Kong into a centre for innovation and technology.
We are actively encouraging the exchange of ideas between our university researchers, our businessmen, our industrialists, and our customers in order to drive forward innovation; and turn technological development into commercial products. As you all know, the Internet has brought about a revolution in the way some of our traditional businesses are carried out. This in itself has spawned a whole new industry - the dot com companies. They have spread like wildfire and done so much to break down the borders between countries and the barriers to communication. Although a major shake-out of the industry is already under way, there will be no stopping the march of IT. Flourishing technological developments in this information age have not reduced the need for top quality administrative and management personnel. On the contrary, it has brought new challenges and new demands on the skills required.
No longer can executives be content to operate in a rather isolated environment. The speed with which we can communicate events, decisions and developments to the four corners of the globe - literally seconds after they have happened - has thrust the decision-makers into the global setting. The pressure is on them to perform. Today, they need to be aware of what is going on around the world, not simply around their city or region.
Despite the mounting pressure to meet the demands of a changing global society, I believe that you, as the potential leaders of our country, will rise to the occasion. The institutions of learning are in place throughout China. You have teachers who are dedicated to giving you the best education possible. Provided you are true to yourselves, and strive to do your utmost, not just at university, but as part of the continuing life-long learning experience, you will be able to achieve your goal. However, high it sets.
Above all, make the most of the opportunities available to you. It helps to remember that just over a generation ago, times were tougher. Society was not nearly as sophisticated as it is today. We shall continue to improve ourselves and you will be at the forefront of that next generation of change. Be conscientious, and work hard for a bright future. Hong Kong remains a city of opportunity. With diligence and perseverance, even dreams that may seem unattainable today can come true. I believe this sentiment applies equally to the whole of China.
In closing, I would simply like to wish you all good luck in your studies, and best wishes for the future in all your endeavours.
Thank you.
End/Monday, July 17, 2000
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