Google has ignored the Hong Kong government's request to remove incorrect national anthem information from its search results, but authorities managed to push websites with the correct anthem up Google's keyword rankings, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong said.
The protest-related song Glory to Hong Kong still remains at the top of the search results for "Hong Kong national anthem" as of yesterday.
Sun said the search result is clearly inconsistent with the facts.
As an internationally renowned web search service provider, Google has a responsibility to make sure that it provides correct information to users, he said.
"It violates Google's own policies to continue to put the wrong information on its website and the incorrect anthem may still be used by others," Sun said.
The government has been in close communication with Google with "the utmost patience, sincerity and professionalism."
Sun said that it was "a pity that Google has not taken any measures so far [to remove the wrong search result]" and hoped that the search engine could work with the SAR to resolve the issue.
He said government information technology officers have been working hard to promote a website stating the correct anthem March of the Volunteers and the ranking order of the website has been greatly pushed up.
Meanwhile, Sun said the mainland will share its scientific data, research papers and facilities with Hong Kong, to strengthen cooperation in science and technology.
Hong Kong scientists will be able to use major scientific facilities, including national supercomputing centers in the Greater Bay Area, he added.
Sun signed an agreement with the Ministry of Science and Technology in Beijing on Wednesday, speeding up the process of developing the SAR into an international innovative technology hub.
He said the agreement is the first important document signed by the mainland and Hong Kong governments after this year's "Two Session" meetings, which showed that the central government attaches a great importance to the SAR's IT development.
"In the current complex geopolitical environment, Hong Kong is facing more difficulties in scientific research," Sun said. "But we also have opportunities to break out with science and technologies."
The Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park at the Lok Ma Chau Loop will have its first three buildings completed next year and the government will invite companies to move in, Sun said, adding that some companies have already expressed interest in settling into the park.
"Some enterprises in the area of life and health technologies, artificial intelligence and data science are interested in the park as they will be able to enjoy easy access to data from both Hong Kong and Shenzhen," Sun said.
"Companies in new energy and advanced manufacturing have also expressed interests," he said.