With the rise of China as a global political and economic power, coupled with the increasing affluence of the Chinese populace and the unsaturated demand for infrastructural development in energy, transportation, manufacturing and services, two key economic drivers have merged in the global business community. For international businesses, what is the best business and investment strategy to gainfully participate in the huge China market? For the Chinese enterprises emboldened by their domestic successes, what is the best business and investment strategy to "go global?" Undeniably, as China's gateway, Hong Kong has a unique and synergistic role to play in both endeavours.

HKICC2007, with its timely theme of "The China Factor : IT Impact for the Next Decade", is to examine and emphasize the critical position of Hong Kong in the global economy in the next decade, and how this not only enhances its continually influential status, but also maintains its territorial prosperity and stability. In particular, the Conference focuses on the role of IT as an enabling technology as well as a strategic industry, and how IT can and should be effectively leveraged for sustaining the economic growth of China and for the ongoing and successful economic transformation of Hong Kong.