LCQ8: Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Co-operation Zone
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     Following is a question by the Hon Chow Man-kong and a written reply by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, in the Legislative Council today (July 13):
 
Question:
 
     At present, the Hong Kong Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government are jointly developing the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Co-operation Zone (Co-operation Zone) which is located in the Lok Ma Chau Loop and comprises the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park (the Park) and the Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Zone. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) given that the eight buildings to be built under the Batch 1 development of the Park are expected to be completed in phases from the end of 2024 onwards, of the following details of the relevant projects:
 
(a) the total number of those buildings for which construction works have commenced, and the following information regarding each of such buildings:
 
(i) names of the design/works consultant(s) and contractor(s) already engaged;
 
(ii) the detailed design, including the various internal facilities of the building, and whether such facilities are different from the original design proposal; if so, of the details and the reasons for that;
 
(iii) the latest progress of the construction works, including the expected timetable for completion, and whether the progress is different from the original schedule of progress; if so, of the details and the reasons for that;
 
(iv) the earliest time for innovation and technology (I&T) enterprises to be admitted to the building; and
 
(v) the latest arrangements for tenancy invitation, including the respective numbers, names and sectors to which the enterprises belong in respect of the building's corresponding enterprises that have already signed contracts, that have not yet signed contracts but have preliminarily been approved for admission, and that are currently engaged in negotiation; the types of sectors and numbers of relevant enterprises which are the main targets to be attracted for admission to the building, and the relevant terms and conditions for admission;
 
(b) the total number of those buildings for which construction works are yet to commence, but the tender exercises for the construction works are now in progress or have been completed, and the following information regarding each of such buildings:
 
(i) the latest progress of the project;
 
(ii) the detailed design, including the various internal facilities of the building, and whether such facilities are different from the original design proposal; if so, of the details and the reasons for that;
 
(iii) the expected timetable for completion of the tender exercises and commencement of construction works, and whether these are proceeding as scheduled in accordance with the original plan; if not, of the reasons for that;
 
(iv) the earliest time for I&T enterprises to be admitted to the building; and
 
(v) the latest arrangements for tenancy invitation, including the types of sectors and numbers of relevant enterprises which are the main targets to be attracted for admission to the building, and the relevant terms and conditions for admission; and
 
(c) the total number of buildings in respect of which tender exercises for their construction works have not yet commenced, and the following information regarding each of such buildings:
 
(i) the latest progress of the project;
 
(ii) the expected timetable for completion of tender exercises and commencement of construction works, and whether this is proceeding as scheduled in accordance with the original plan; if not, the reasons for that;
 
(iii) the earliest time for I&T enterprises to be admitted to the building; and
 
(iv) the latest arrangements for tenancy invitation, including the types of sectors and numbers of relevant enterprises which are the main targets to be attracted for admission to the building, and the relevant terms and conditions for admission;
 
(2) of the specific plans and proposals in place to implement the following policies as set out in the Joint Policy Package for the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Co-operation Zone in the Loop announced last year:
 
(i) measures to facilitate the movement of overseas technology talents;
 
(ii) expanding cross-boundary investment and financing channels in the Co-operation Zone;
 
(iii) supporting I&T enterprises in the Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Zone to finance through Hong Kong in multiple channels, and to engage Hong Kong financial services when conducting mergers and acquisitions in Hong Kong;
 
(iv) facilitating Shenzhen-Hong Kong sharing of data resources in the Co-operation Zone; and
 
(v) promoting the development and co-operation in respect of artificial intelligence and data analysis between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, and exploring how to facilitate safe cross-boundary data flow; and
 
(3) as the 2021 Policy Address has mentioned that the San Tin Technopole which comprises the Park will, together with the Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Zone, form a 540-hectare Co-operation Zone, whether the Government has made detailed planning on the relevant support facilities in respect of housing, transport, healthcare, education, etc.; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     The 14th Five-Year Plan (the Plan) promulgated last year set out in its prologue to develop our country into an innovative nation with strong science and technology. The Plan put forward the development pattern of "dual circulation", which takes the domestic market as the mainstay while enabling domestic and foreign markets to interact positively with each other, and expressed clear support for Hong Kong to develop into an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub. The Plan also, for the first time, included the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Loop as one of the four major platforms of co-operation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), which fully demonstrates the importance the Central Government attaches to Hong Kong's I&T and the Loop development. The Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Co-operation Zone (Co-operation Zone), which comprises the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park (HSITP) located at the Lok Ma Chau Loop and the Shenzhen I&T Zone, will establish "one zone, two parks" at "one river, two banks" under the auspices of "one country, two systems", would promote the development of the international I&T hub in the GBA.

     The reply to the various parts of the question is as follows:
 
(1) Infrastructure is the cornerstone of I&T development, facilitating enterprises and talent to gather, collaborate and develop. Coupled with favourable policy measures, it can generate a cluster effect and build a vibrant I&T ecosystem.
 
     In particular, the HSITP is a highlight of infrastructure for Hong Kong's future I&T development. The HSITP will be developed in two phases according to the current plan, each in three batches, and a total of 67 buildings will be built. The first phase development with a total of 31 buildings is located in the western part of the Loop, providing an estimated gross floor area (GFA) of about 540 000 square metres (sq. m); while the second phase development with a total of 36 buildings is located in the eastern part, providing an estimated GFA of about 660 000 sq. m. The HSITP will mainly be used as a key base for scientific research, as well as higher education and cultural and creative industries. More than half of the GFA will be dedicated to research and development (R&D) purpose, and the remaining portion will be used as the InnoCell, visitor lodges, commercial and supporting facilities, etc.

     In early 2021, the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council approved a total of $32.5 billion to support the commencement of the relevant infrastructure works, the cost of the HSITP's Batch 1 development (involving eight buildings in total) and the initial operating cost of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited (HSITPL).

     Details relating to the use of buildings in Batch 1 development of the HSITP, number of buildings and estimated floor area to be provided are set out in the Annex.

     The HSITPL has commissioned Ronald Lu & Partners (Hong Kong) Ltd, Andrew Lee King Fun & Associates Architects Limited, and China Road and Bridge Corporation - Tak Wan Construction & Drilling Co., Limited - CWF Piling & Civil Engineering Company Limited Joint Venture to commence the detailed design and foundation works of the first three buildings in 2021 respectively through open tender exercises.

     In view of the severe situation of the fifth wave of COVID-19 epidemic earlier, fighting the epidemic has been the top priority of the Government. With the full support and all-out co-ordination by the Central Government, apart from the aforementioned first three buildings for which foundation works have already commenced, most of the remaining sites in the Loop have already been used for the emergency hospital and community isolation facility. The Government is actively identifying feasible options to enable the relevant land to be restored to I&T development purpose, so as to minimise the impact on the development of the HSITP. Currently, the HSITPL is still targeting to complete the first batch development of eight buildings in phases from end-2024 onwards.

     In fact, to complement the country's development of frontier scientific research fields and leverage Hong Kong's strengths, one of the Government's future development priorities is to focus on R&D in life and health disciplines and set up an InnoLife Healthtech Hub in the HSITP. The HSITPL will provide active support and draw up plans as appropriate to attract tenants with reference to the experience of I&T platforms around the world, including the admission criteria and rental policy, with a view to ensuring the international competitiveness of the HSITP and attracting sizable I&T enterprises and laboratories from the Mainland and overseas to set up presence in the HSITP. The HSITPL will also take into account the experience of the Hong Kong Science Park and Cyberport to put in place appropriate incubation programmes and support schemes for startups, as well as facilities such as talent accommodation.

(2) and (3) Under the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy, the HSITP and the areas around Lok Ma Chau/San Tin will be consolidated to form the San Tin Technopole, providing about 240 hectares of land for I&T-related uses. The San Tin Technopole, together with the Shenzhen I&T Zone, will form the Co-operation Zone of approximately 540 hectares, which can combine the strengths of both Hong Kong and Shenzhen to pool together local and non-local talent, and become an essential propeller for the development of an international I&T hub in the GBA.

     The target of the San Tin Technopole is to become an integrated community which can attract and facilitate I&T talent to settle and work. This would provide better support for Hong Kong's I&T development and attract local and non-local enterprises, research institutes and higher education institutions to set up presence and open up new industries in Hong Kong, thereby developing a stronger I&T platform. The San Tin Technopole can also support the development of startups and provide our young people with a favourable business environment, room for development and job opportunities to start their business. The Government commenced a study in October last year to formulate a detailed development plan for the San Tin Technopole at the Lok Ma Chau/San Tin, including the land uses, infrastructure, ancillary facilities, etc. The study is expected to be completed in the second half of next year.

     In order to attract talent and enterprises to develop in the Co-operation Zone, the governments of Hong Kong and Shenzhen have signed a co-operation agreement last year for the development of the Co-operation Zone and put forward a joint policy package covering support measures on facilitating flow of talent and scientific research resources and business development, etc. The joint policy package is a summary of measures of both places to facilitate research institutes and enterprises in the Co-operation Zone, such as providing talent accommodation or concessions, jointly funded R&D projects, etc. The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation will also launch the GBA InnoAcademy and GBA InnoExpress at the Shenzhen branch of the Hong Kong Science Park within this year, and work with the local universities which have campuses in the GBA to establish incubator networks in those campuses, so as to support local startups to develop in the GBA.

     Our country and the GBA provide staunch support for Hong Kong's I&T development. The Government has kept in close contact with the relevant Central Government ministries and the Guangdong Provincial Government to actively explore measures to facilitate further cross-boundary flow of innovation elements including talent, capital, information and technologies. As for funding, over $760 million from Mainland were approved for local universities and R&D institutions so far. The Government has also implemented joint funding schemes with the Central Government and various provinces and municipalities. On talent front, the relevant Mainland organisations encourage R&D personnel in Hong Kong to participate in nationwide academic associations of the China Association for Science and Technology, National Science and Technology Expert Database and the Award Assessment Expert Database. The Government also actively facilitates non-Chinese nationals residing in Hong Kong to travel to other cities of the GBA for business, research, exchanges and visits, etc. In terms of resources and data, so far, four Mainland branches established by Hong Kong's universities were approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology as pilot units which were able to lodge applications independently for exporting human genetic resources to Hong Kong for research purpose. The Government will continue to actively facilitate the effective flow of innovative elements with the Mainland in order to better leverage on the complementary advantages among different cities in the GBA.

Ends/Wednesday, July 13, 2022
Issued at HKT 14:30

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