Ningrong Liu is associate vice-president and a professor at the University of Hong Kong, and the founding director of the HKU Institute for China Business. He specialises in the fields of globalisation, education leadership, and marketing communication. He is a prolific writer on topics such as globalisation and the global economy.
Faced with political isolation, economic decoupling and tech barriers, China is determined to woo US tech giants and businesses, undeterred in its quest to become a global hi-tech hub.
Hong Kong’s growing disparity with Shanghai, Shenzhen and Singapore is cause for concern. The city must adapt and learn to take risks again to maximise its ‘two systems’ advantages.
Tensions between the West and China offer Hong Kong the opportunity to become a hub for scientific research. To do this, it must cultivate a diverse talent pool, preserve its historical openness and foster an environment that encourages disruptive thinking.
China’s new focus on innovation-driven development offers hope for sustainable development and avoiding the middle-income trap. A technological breakthrough in advanced sectors could be the decisive driver in transforming the country’s future and keeping pace with the United States.