Computerworld Hong Kong - enterpriseinnovation.net

UPFRONT s t e fa n h a m m o n dYear of the SharkThe Chinese New Year media-luncheon season is behind us, and while wecouldn’t attend every one, we always like the chance to mingle with our colleaguesin the Chinese-language media, and talk to executives in an informalmanner, as well as getting their overview of the year ahead.Top-level vendors are aware of their CSR (corporate social responsibility) profile,and this has helped the Pearl River Delta to literally clean up its act. Environmentallyunfriendly practices—like sending disused computers to China for disassembly, apractice that polluted the surrounding area—have faced severe crackdown. Multinationalslike Dell, EMC, HP, IBM and Microsoft are well aware that CSR is part oftheir brand-equity. They offer recycling programs, reduce their packaging material,and incorporate sustainable methods into their processes.Bids for tech-deployments in Europe and North Americamust now contain e-waste and environmental impact metrics,or “no sale.” CSR is no longer a nice thing to do—it’sbecome essential. And this will be the case in Hong Kong,not today but not too far off.Most vendors know Hong Kong journalists will not abideshark fin soup on their CNY-luncheon menus—we’ve goneStefanHammondEditorshammond@questexasia.combeyond the musty era of shark fin. It’s been five years sinceChinese superstar Yao Ming said in Beijing that he would nolonger eat the stuff, and “putting our ecosystem in great perilis certainly not a part of Chinese culture that I know.”The possession and sale of shark fin is already illegal inHawaii (restaurants in that US state have until June 30 todispose of pre-existing stocks—after that, penalties for possessionalone will be severe, with fines of US$5,000-$15,000 for a first offense).Three other states—Washington, Oregon and California—have introduced similarlegislation. The entire US West coast is determined to help stop the barbaric practiceof shark-finning (where the fins are sliced off a living shark whose bleeding bodyis thrown back into the sea to drown), and help preserve the ecosystem-preservingapex-predator of the oceans: the shark.Even a member of China’s parliament proposed a ban on the trade in shark fin,according to AFP and state media. “Only legislation can stop shark fin trading andreduce the killings of sharks,” Xinhua news agency quoted Ding Liguo, a billionairedelegate to the National People’s Congress (NPC), as saying. China should leadthe world in banning the trade because 95 percent of theworld’s shark fins are consumed in mainland China, Taiwanand Hong Kong, added Ding.And Hong Kong remains a trading hub for this fadingindustry. What’s the HK government doing to helpour businesspeople move to more sustainable businesspractices?Stefan HammondEditorshammond@questexasia.comhttp://www.cw.com.hkComputerworld Hong Kong is published by Questex Asia Ltd,13/F, 88 Hing Fat Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.PUBLISHER Simon Yeung syeung@questexasia.comEDITORIALEDITOR-IN-CHIEF Chee Sing Chan cchan@questexasia.comEDITOR Stefan Hammond shammond@questexasia.comSENIOR REPORTER Teresa Leung tleung@questexasia.comSENIOR CORRESPONDENT Carol Ko cko@questexasia.comCONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jason Krupp, Ross MilburnSALESACCOUNT DIRECTOR Connie Yip cyip@questexasia.comMARKETING & SALES Carvin Lee clee@questexasia.comSUPPORTING EXECUTIVEADMINISTRATIONART DIRECTOR Eric Lam elam@questexasia.comCirculation & John Lam jlam@questexasia.comDistribution DirectorASSISTANT CIRCULATION Allie Mok amok@questexasia.comMANAGERMANAGEMENTManaging Director Jonathan Bigelow jbigelow@questexasia.comHR & ADMIN MANAGER Janis Lam janislam@questexasia.comBUSINESS MANAGER Eunice Chan echan@questexasia.comComputerworld Hong Kong is published monthly. All material is Copyright2011 by Questex Media Group, Inc. Reproduction is strictly forbiddenwithout written permission.Sales and Custom Publishing Enquiries: E-mail can be sent to syeung@questexasia.comComputerworld Hong Kong is circulated to IT, computingand internet companies and other privateand public companies who use IT and computing.It is edited for IT professionals, engineers, and seniormanagers responsible for design, installation,marketing and maintenance of IT systems and networks.Free subscription offer valid in Hong Kongonly. To subscribe, go to www.cw.com.hk.Computerworld Hong Kong (ISSN 1023-4934) ispublished eleven times yearly by Questex AsiaLtd. Subscription rates: 1 year HK$330 (Hong Kong (852) 2589-1313only), HK$440 (Macau only), US$109 (within Asia)and US$119 (outside Asia), 2 years HK$580 (HongKong only), HK$770 (Macau only), US$190 (withinAsia) and US$210 (outside Asia). Single/Back issue(if available) HK$40 per copy (Hong Kong only)US$11 (within Asia) and US$12 (outside Asia) plusUS$5 handling charge per order. Printed in Hong(852) 2559-2015Kong. Postage paid in Hong Kong. For subscriptionenquiries, change of address or delivery services,please contact our circulation department by: fax (852) 2559-2015, e-mail customer_service@cw.com.hk or by mail.Computerworld Hong Kong is on sale in bookshops in Hong Kong atHK$40 per issue.Questex Media Group LLC275 Grove Street, Newton, MA 02466, Tel: +1 617 219 8300PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Kerry C. GumasEXECUTIVE V.P. & CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Tom CaridiEXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENTRobert S. IngrahamEXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENTTony D’AvinoEXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENTJon LeibowitzEXECUTIVE V.P. 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