In a significant boost to Hong Kong’s aspirations as a global technology and research hub, two major announcements have ignited fresh optimism. Hong Kong and China Gas (Towngas) have joined forces with Baidu-backed chip maker StarFive Technology and xFusion Digital Technologies to establish a semiconductor research-and-development lab, marking a pivotal step in enhancing the city’s chip-making capabilities. Concurrently, China Mobile has revealed plans to establish a corporate treasury center (CTC) and an innovation research institute in Hong Kong, solidifying its commitment to the city as a strategic base for innovation.
These developments align closely with the Hong Kong government’s vision of fostering a robust technology ecosystem. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po emphasized this commitment, stating, “The government is committed to developing Hong Kong as a global innovation and technology hub, with an emphasis on promoting cooperation between the government and the industry, academic and research sectors.”
Towngas’s collaboration with StarFive and xFusion is particularly timely, coinciding with China’s efforts to reduce its reliance on foreign intellectual property amidst escalating technology tensions with the United States. The partnership aims to develop a RISC-V chip, dubbed the “Lion Rock Chip,” tailored for data center environments. This initiative not only enhances xFusion’s computing products but also strengthens Towngas’s capabilities in cloud and memory computing. Dr. Peter Lee Ka-kit, Towngas’s chairman, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “Towngas aims to leverage xFusion’s computing infrastructure and services to propel the intelligent and green transformation of the energy industry.”
RISC-V, an open-standard instruction set architecture, offers unparalleled flexibility for chip developers. Thomas Xu Tao, StarFive’s chairman and CEO, highlighted this advantage, stating, “By leveraging our cutting-edge RISC-V core technology, StarFive can develop the most suitable products for data center environments, fully harnessing our vertical integration advantages.”
Meanwhile, China Mobile’s investment in Hong Kong, totaling more than HK$30 billion (US$3.8 billion) in recent years, underscores its commitment to enhancing the city’s telecommunications infrastructure. The establishment of the CTC will serve as a vital overseas treasury platform, utilizing Hong Kong as a global hub for managing overseas capital management, services, and operations. The accompanying research institute will focus on 6G network development, new-generation mobile communications, and artificial intelligence, further positioning Hong Kong as an innovation and technology center.
Yang Jie, China Mobile’s chairman, praised Hong Kong’s unique advantages, stating, “Hong Kong has the distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world.”
These initiatives signal a new chapter in Hong Kong’s technological evolution, showcasing its potential to become a leading global technology and research hub. As collaborations deepen and investments grow, Hong Kong is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of technology.
(Source: SCMP)
