HKT: Advance deployment in He Tao District and Bei Du, strengthen cooperation with research institutions to transform results into practice

The Managing Director of HKT (06823.HK), Xu Hanqing, stated that the national "14th Five-Year Plan" requires accelerating high-level technological self-reliance and strength, and Hong Kong must contribute. The innovation and technology construction, scientific research, and industrial cooperation in the Lok Ma Chau Loop and the Northern Metropolis are top priorities. The group has made early preparations and recently established a new artificial intelligence (AI) machine building and research and development center in the Lok Ma Chau Loop to serve the Northern Metropolis and connect with Hong Kong's data centers, promoting cross-border interconnectivity and data flow in the Greater Bay Area, addressing the fiber optic demand driven by data center expansion, residential development in the Northern Metropolis, and the construction of university towns.

Xu Hanqing continued to say that the group will also strengthen cooperation with research institutions to translate results into practical applications. She is very optimistic about the business outlook this year, believing that AI will benefit the telecommunications industry, coupled with the government's promotion of smart cities, and enterprises are strengthening deployments to diversify suppliers, increasing purchases of Chinese hardware, software, and cloud services. However, she also maintains a prudent approach and will continue to reduce debt levels when necessary.

Regarding China Mobile (00941.HK) taking over Hong Kong Broadband (01310.HK) and launching affordable 5G packages, intensifying market competition, Xu Hanqing believes that the group has always respected rational and fair competition in the market, and China Mobile is a strong market competitor, which the group never takes lightly