Govt Responds To Media Enquiries

The Commerce & Economic Development Bureau today responded to a recommendation by the US Department of Justice’s committee to deny the submarine cable connection by the Pacific Light Cable Network (PLCN) to Hong Kong.

While addressing media inquiries, the bureau said it disagreed with and is disappointed about the recommendation.

It explained that a submarine optical fibre cable system directly connecting Hong Kong and the US is mutually beneficial, as it would help further enhance the telecommunications capacity of both places and facilitate trade and business activities.

“The recommendation not only hinders the telecommunications development between Hong Kong and the US, it also harms the interests of US investors and entities, and disregards the win-win situation between Hong Kong and the US as brought by investments in communications infrastructure.”

The bureau emphasised that the concerns raised by the committee are ungrounded.

“As a telecommunications hub in the region, Hong Kong has a world-class telecommunications infrastructure. We attach great importance to the security and integrity of our telecommunications networks, which is widely acclaimed internationally.

“Our robust legal system also offers strong protection to privacy rights. These unique advantages are fully protected under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle.”

The bureau also noted that countries around the world have their legislations to protect their countries' national security, adding that the proposed national security law in Hong Kong will not affect the legitimate rights and freedoms under the Basic Law.

“As a matter of fact, international investors attach great importance to social stability and security, and we believe the national security law can bring confidence and a stable business environment to them.

“Hong Kong has a vibrant external telecommunications market, with a total of 11 external submarine optical fibre cable systems, 20 overland optical fibre cables and 11 communications satellites connecting Hong Kong with places around the world.”

The bureau pointed out that the existing and planned capacity of the external telecommunications facilities are expected to meet the medium to long-term external telecommunications demand in Hong Kong.

It added that the total equipped capacity has reached 89.6 terabits per second, which accounts for only about 11% of the overall designed capacity.