The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) will continue to explore new technologies including the wireless technologies to promote the adoption of mobile commerce in Hong Kong and to support the development of an E-government.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Wireless Forum 2002 Thursday, Alan Wong Chi-kong, director of information technology services of the Hong Kong SAR, said mobile commerce is gaining recognition with the advance in wireless technologies.

"One of the key components of the 2001 Digital 21 Strategy is to enhance the e-business environment of Hong Kong," he said. "Our high level of mobile penetration creates the potential for Hong Kong to be a leader in developing mobile commerce technologies."

"To facilitate E-government, we are developing an interoperability framework which covers the wireless broadband platforms. We will encourage the development of leading edge wireless applications on this platform," he added.

In October 2001, the Hongkong Post launched the mobile digital certificates, bringing Hong Kong to the forefront in mobile commerce with the creation of the world's first public mobile Certification Authority.

Apart from facilitating the conduct of mobile commerce, Wong pointed out that the SAR government had in fact applied wireless technologies for some time to support the development of an efficient and effective government.

He cited the Government Supplies Department (GSD) as one of the examples.

Since December 1996, the GSD has been using a wireless network to support mobile working by its staff within its warehouse to input, update or inquire information of the stock inventory as part of their daily work.

Wong also noted that the Information Technology Services Department held an exhibition-cum-seminar on "Empower Your Mobile Work Force" within government last year to promote the awareness of the potential of mobile computing with a view to enhancing the government's e-services.

(Xinhua News Agency May 17, 20002)