ENG-2009 — Page 426

354 Communications, the Media and Information Technology

Co-operation (APEC). In addition, Hong Kong plays an active part in the initiative to implement the APEC Mutual Recognition Arrangement for Conformity Assessment of Telecommunications Equipment.

In May 2009, Hong Kong hosted the APT Policy and Regulatory Forum. This was attended by 104 Asia-Pacific region's policy makers, heads of regulatory authorities, eminent experts and active industry players. During the forum, they shared views on key regulatory and policy issues of common interest and concern.

Information Technology

Digital 21 Strategy

The Government is committed to keeping Hong Kong at the forefront of the development of information and communications technology (ICT) and to make it a leading digital city. To achieve this aim, it has formulated the Digital 21 Strategy. The work plan under this strategy is updated continually to cope with technological advancements and the community's changing needs. This has produced the right environment, infrastructure, skills and culture for developing and adopting ICT. This is evident in Hong Kong's mobile phone penetration rate of 173.7 per cent, one of the highest in the world; its household broadband connection rate of 81.4 per cent, among the highest in Asia; and its Smart Identity Card, one of the first to be invented in the world.

The motto of the latest Digital 21 Strategy is: 'advancing our achievements and seizing new opportunities: building on Hong Kong's position as a world digital city'. The strategy follows 'Statements of Desired Outcomes' drawn up to make Hong Kong a vibrant digital economy, a centre for advanced technology and innovation as well as a hub for technological co-operation. Maintaining Hong Kong's position as a leader in the use of e-government and as a knowledge-based society is another of its aims. The Statements of Desired Outcomes set out qualitatively what we are seeking to achieve in each of the five action areas under the Digital 21 Strategy.

Hong Kong as a Leading Digital Economy

Driving E-business

The Government is committed to providing the infrastructure to facilitate a digital economy. The Electronic Transactions Ordinance was enacted in 2000 and updated in 2004 to provide a legal framework for the conduct of secure electronic transactions.

There are now two certification authorities recognised under the ordinance, which issue digital certificates enabling people to conduct electronic transactions in

a secure manner.

Institutional Framework on the Administration of '.hk' Domain Names

To ensure the public internet domain names are properly managed, in 2002 the Government appointed the Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation Limited (HKIRC), a non-profit-making company, to administer the '.hk' domain name.