Savantas Policy Institute held a Gala Dinner at ClubONE in Repulse Bay to celebrate its 10th anniversary today (18th June), bringing together about 200 guests from the public sector, the technology industry, policy research institutes and other sectors. Savantas Chair Mrs Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, Vice-Chair Dr Louis Shih Tai-cho and other Governors attended the dinner and shared the joy with the guests. The Honourable Jasper Tsang Yok-sing, President of the Legislative Council, was the officiating guest. Other guests included government officials led by Secretary for Innovation and Technology Mr Nicholas Yang, LegCo Members [as well as Mr Yang Jian, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR (LOCPG), Mr Yang Mao, Director General of Department of the Social Work of LOCPG, and Mr Zeng Jian, Director General of Department of Research of LOCPG.]

In her welcome remarks, Mrs Regina Ip said, “I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to you for your gracious attendance at this Gala Dinner to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Savantas. Ten years ago, I founded Savantas Policy Institute with my fellow Hong Kong students at Stanford and a few technology professionals working in Silicon Valley, with a view to propelling Hong Kong’s transformation into a knowledge economy and supporting the city’s democratic development under the Basic Law.”

“To this end, we have undertaken various projects over the past decade. In the ‘Hong Kong Innovation Project’, we pulled together a team of international scholars to conduct cross-sectoral research, exploring ways to spearhead innovation in different sectors. Last year, we invited Professor Ho Lok-sang and his team from Lingnan University to carry out the Hong Kong Long-term Competitiveness Study, aimed at examining the competitive landscape for various industries. In addition, through different types of events, we invite different sectors to explore opportunities brought about by smart cities, intellectual property commercialization, cross-border e-commerce and so on.”

“To support Hong Kong’s democratic development through building a better civil society, we established Savantas Liberal Arts Academy in 2009 to promote humanities education. In recent years, in light of the increasingly heated debate over Hong Kong’s constitutional development, we have also invited speakers from across the political spectrum to exchange their ideas.” Mrs Ip continued.

“Hong Kong must seek new paths both economically and politically. More efforts should be made to jump-start our fledgling innovation and technology industries and uplift the competitiveness of different sectors. Politically, we believe that ‘One Country, Two Systems’ is the only feasible and desirable way for Hong Kong to move forward. Its successful implementation will hinge upon communication and cooperation amongst Hong Kong people.”

“Since the handover, the civil society has been more and more vibrant. As a member of the growing band of think tanks, Savantas will strive to facilitate dialogue among the government, the academia, the industries and other stakeholders. We will also strive to enhance exchanges and cooperation among Hong Kong, the Mainland and other parts of the world. I am grateful for your support. I hope to continue to join hands with you in bringing a better future for Hong Kong.” Mrs Ip concluded.

Mr Jasper Tsang also congratulated Savantas Policy Institute on its 10th anniversary in his remarks. Afterwards, Mrs Regina Ip and Mr Tsang, together with Dr Louis Shih and other Governors of Savantas, including Mr Charles Chan, Mr William Chan, Mr Jonathan Choi, Mr Edgar Kwan and Mr Alfred Kwok, officiated at the cake-cutting and toasting ceremony before the dinner formally began. Then, there were a harp performance and a lucky draw. All guests had an enjoyable time.