Government determined to build a digitally inclusive society
26 - 02 - 2002

The Government has reacted positively in the identification of information technology (IT) strengths and needs in Hong Kong and has committed itself to strengthening the community's ability to exploit the digital environment.

These remarks were made by the Director of Information Technology Services, Mr Alan Wong Chi-kong, today (February 26).

Mr Wong said, "Digital technologies become firmly embedded in our daily affairs, enabling IT-empowered people to lead more productive and rewarding lives."

"At present, a substantial proportion of the local population in Hong Kong already uses the Internet on a regular basis," he said.

"According to the household survey conducted in the second quarter of 2001, 60.6 per cent of our households have installed personal computers (PCs), and 48.7 per cent of households are connected to the Internet.

"However, at the same time, people who lack access to computers and the Internet and those who do not have IT skills and knowledge become less and less capable of participating in the economy of a society that is increasingly technology dependent.

"The Government is fully aware of the situation and is determined to build a digitally inclusive society in Hong Kong through various measures.

"They include promoting and enhancing information technology awareness and knowledge in the community; increasing the number of people able to use digital-age technology tools; and educating and fostering the correct attitude among the community as regards the ethical use of information," said Mr Wong.

In the past few years, the Government has invested some $2.2 billion in measures and activities to strengthen the community's ability to exploit opportunities in the digital world.

Significant progress in raising IT awareness and promoting the use of IT in the community has been made.

The Government launched in September 2000 the "IT Hong Kong" campaign to promote the IT awareness of IT in the community. So far, the campaign has succeeded in attracting around 24 000 people to the IT awareness courses on offer.

Additionally, the Home Affairs Department (HAD) and the Social Welfare Department (SWD) have also offered training places on IT awareness courses for the public.

The Government has also considered the needs of various sectors and has taken their views into account in making such improvements in the design and implementation of the Electronic Service Delivery (ESD) scheme, which provides government services to the community on-line.

The ESD scheme was designed in accordance with internationally recognised web accessibility standards to facilitate access by the visually impaired. By end 2002, all government web sites will conform to these standards.

"We have also provided greater access to IT for people from disadvantaged groups," said Mr Wong.

"People who cannot afford computers, people with disabilities, the elderly and the socially disadvantaged can now obtain free access to PCs, the Internet, e-mail services and training opportunities at various rehabilitation service units and homes, Community Cyber Points, the Super Cyber Centre and public libraries."

"The Government has partnered with both professional IT associations and non-Governmental organisations to formulate and undertake measures to encourage different sectors of the community to embrace and use IT," he said.

Mr Wong stressed that the Government would continue to implement these measures with vigour, monitor IT adoption in Hong Kong through annual IT penetration surveys and explore more opportunities to promote the wider use of IT in the community.

With the aim of establishing an objective baseline for the Hong Kong community in understanding the critical issue of access to IT which is currently transforming our economy and lives, the Information Technology Services Department (ITSD) has recently published a booklet entitled "Building A Digitally Inclusive Society".

The booklet covers a number of topics which include: the description of "digital divide"; the IT penetration and Internet usage in Hong Kong; Government's initiatives in encouraging and promoting the wider use of IT in the community; the enhancement programmes on the awareness and use of IT in the community; and the initiatives in providing barrier-free web sites.

The booklet can be obtained at the offices of ITSD, Education Department, HAD and SWD.

It is also available on the "Digital 21" web site (http://www.digital21.gov.hk/eng/programme/digitaldivide.html) for public reference and free downloading.

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