Hong Kong can take on a new role as a “super converter” for technical standards, legal norms and innovations exchanged between mainland China and the wider world, the city’s finance chief has said.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po stressed that Hong Kong’s reputation for quality had established the city as a “brand name” that was trusted by the international community.
Citing the Middle East as an example, he said: “In general they will automatically give the go-ahead to those products that have been accredited by Hong Kong.”
“It is the brand name effect,” Chan added. “For example, some mainland products that can pass tests in Hong Kong and get certified as up to our standards are in general recognised by other markets.”
Appearing in the first episode of RTHK’s On Broadcast Drive TV programme, which aired on Friday, the finance chief said: “In this sense, Hong Kong can play the role of a super converter, on top of being a ‘superconnector’ and ‘super value-adder’.”
He also said Chinese standards were gaining more acceptance globally, citing steel as an example.
“There are ultra-high-strength steel products that are among the most advanced in the world. We can help promote national standards to reach other overseas regions,” Chan said.