HONG KONG – The Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau of Hong Kong on Friday published a policy statement to set out the government's management principles and key strategies on data flow and data security and to put forward 18 specific action items.

The Policy Statement on Facilitating Data Flow and Safeguarding Data Security in Hong Kong aims to provide a holistic set of management principles and strategies on data governance.

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Apart from promoting the consolidation, application, opening up and sharing of data, it will also enhance safeguards for data security and planning of related infrastructural facilities, “thereby fostering development and safety in a more coordinated manner”, the bureau said in a statement.

“The policy statement outlines the government's data governance philosophy at a macro level and sets out specific action items to lay a foundation for the furtherance of high-quality development of innovation and technology, the digital economy and the smart city in Hong Kong,” said Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Professor Sun Dong.

The 18 specific action items put forward in the document involve advancing digital government and enhancing data governance, formulating or updating policies, guidelines and laws, enhancing cybersecurity protection, bolstering digital infrastructure, and promoting cross-boundary data flow.

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Apart from studying and suggesting rules and guidelines on the use and application of generative artificial intelligence technologies, the special administrative region government will introduce a bill into the Legislative Council within 2024 to define clearly the cybersecurity obligations of critical infrastructure operators, according to the statement.

The document also stated that the SAR government will digitalize all government licenses, services and forms involving application and approval by mid-2024. 

By the end of 2025, all government departments will fully adopt iAM Smart application to facilitate the residents’ use of one-stop electronic government services, it added.

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“Following the promulgation of the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint last year, the policy statement represents another key document on I&T development issued by the ITIB, focusing on two important components of data governance, namely data flow and data security,” said the secretary.