President Xi Jinping, accompanied by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, inspected the Hong Kong Science Park today (June 30) to receive briefings from government officials and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation on Hong Kong's innovation and technology (I&T) development and prospects. He also inspected a research laboratory under the InnoHK research clusters and encouraged the Hong Kong scientific researchers and I&T entrepreneurs present to strive for excellence.

     The Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Alfred Sit, first gave a brief introduction on the overall I&T strengths and development in Hong Kong and the fruitful results achieved with an investment of over $150 billion by the current-term government to proactively promote I&T over the past five years. The Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Mr Albert Wong, then introduced seven research and development outcomes showcasing Hong Kong's I&T achievements ranging from disciplines like life and health, artificial intelligence and robotics to engineering applications.

     Mrs Lam expressed her gratitude for the National 14th Five-Year Plan's positioning of the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area into an international centre for science and technology innovation and its clear support for Hong Kong to develop into an international centre for I&T. Hong Kong will implement the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy, which will accelerate Hong Kong's I&T development and deepen its I&T collaboration with Shenzhen. Mr Sit and the Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, briefed the President on the two major platforms, namely the San Tin Technopole and the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area, respectively. These two platforms will connect with the Shenzhen I&T Zone and the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone, paving the way for Hong Kong's better integration into the national development.

     President Xi then inspected the Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases under the InnoHK research clusters, the flagship I&T project of Hong Kong. The Center Director, Professor Nancy Ip, introduced to him the Center's multidisciplinary team of scientists, who have been driving translational research efforts in developing improved treatments and tools for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease to realise early screening and treatment, making contributions to the health of mankind.

     Before concluding the inspection, President Xi addressed more than 30 representatives of Hong Kong scientific researchers and young entrepreneurs and encouraged them to make greater contributions to show his care for Hong Kong's youth in particular. The address demonstrated the importance and acknowledgement placed on Hong Kong's I&T development and the expectation of Hong Kong contributing to the country's development in science and technology. Attendees included representatives of Hong Kong academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, young scientists and researchers, as well as I&T entrepreneurs.

Ends/Thursday, June 30, 2022
Issued at HKT 20:53

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