Is Hong Kong following Beijing’s lead and ousting Western tech?
Hong Kong is replacing Western technology, particularly Microsoft products, with domestic alternatives like Seeyon software, driven by geopolitical risks and concerns over US export controls.
Hong Kong's government and businesses are shifting away from Western tech, especially Microsoft, due to fears of US sanctions and a desire for greater technological independence aligned with mainland China. This move is primarily focused on the public sector, with the police force leading the transition to domestic solutions.
Imagine Hong Kong is a town that used to buy all its toys from America. But now, America is saying, 'We might not sell you toys anymore!' So, Hong Kong is looking for toys made in China instead. The police are switching to a new computer system made in China because they don't want to rely on America's computers. This is happening because China and America are having disagreements, and Hong Kong wants to be safe and have options. It's like having a backup plan in case something goes wrong with the original.
Analysis
According to Francis Fong Po-kiu, honorary president of the Hong Kong Information Technology Federation, Hong Kong’s technology infrastructure is undergoing a major transformation. The shift is driven by closer integration with mainland China and rising geopolitical risks. US tech giants like Microsoft have long been dominant in Hong Kong’s digital landscape, but this dominance is now being actively contested, particularly within the government sector. The Hong Kong Police Force is replacing Microsoft SharePoint with mainland China’s Seeyon software in one division. Stony Shi, Seeyon’s head of business for the Asia-Pacific region, noted that another department made the same switch in 2024. The move is fueled by fears over tightening US technology export curbs targeting both mainland China and Hong Kong. According to Fong, the Hong Kong government views over-reliance on Western ‘black box’ technology as a strategic liability that could be deactivated or restricted at any time. The Hong Kong Police Force stated that it adhered to established procurement procedures to acquire necessary services for operational use and would not reveal specifics due to operational reasons. This strategic shift reflects a broader trend of nations seeking technological independence to mitigate risks associated with geopolitical instability and export controls.
Key points
- Hong Kong is replacing Western technology with domestic alternatives.
- The Hong Kong Police Force is leading the transition to Seeyon software.
- The shift is driven by concerns over US export controls and geopolitical risks.
- The government views over-reliance on Western technology as a strategic liability.
