The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, and Vice Minister of Science and Technology Professor Zhang Guangjun, co-chaired the 16th meeting of the Mainland/Hong Kong Science and Technology Co-operation Committee via video conferencing today (December 16).   
 
     Professor Sun said at the meeting that the National 14th Five-Year Plan clearly states the support for Hong Kong to develop into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre and has 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 for the first time, presenting new and historical opportunities for Hong Kong. Hong Kong must capitalise on its advantages as an international city under "one country, two systems" and continue to create strong impetus for I&T development in order to better integrate into the nation's overall development. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will promulgate the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint soon to establish a clear development path and systematic strategic planning for Hong Kong's I&T development over the next five to 10 years. The Government will also fully pursue the National 14th Five-Year Plan's vision by implementing the four broad development directions in supporting Hong Kong to develop into an international I&T centre.
 
     Professor Sun also expressed his gratitude to the Central Government and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) for their staunch support to Hong Kong's I&T development over the years. In the past year, the Mainland and Hong Kong had made significant progress in facilitating the cross-boundary flow of key elements of scientific research. In terms of funding, as at the end of this June, the Mainland had approved over RMB670 million for universities and research institutes in Hong Kong to conduct research and development (R&D) projects and establish laboratories. On materials, five Mainland branches established by Hong Kong's universities have been allowed to lodge applications for exporting human genetic resources to Hong Kong for scientific research purpose.

     Looking ahead, Professor Sun said that the HKSAR Government will continue to adopt a multipronged approach to deepen the co-operation and exchanges in I&T with the Mainland. In particular, the HKSAR Government will work together with the MOST to advance the development of Hong Kong into an international I&T centre as well as the development of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Co-operation Zone. On the basis of "one zone, two parks", the two sides will study the trial implementation of a cross-boundary policy on I&T co-operation, with a view to facilitating the cross-boundary flows of key I&T elements. "The next five years will be a critical period for Hong Kong to break new ground and leap forward. The HKSAR Government will give full play to Hong Kong's own advantages by attracting I&T resources around the globe and strengthening I&T co-operation with different Mainland provinces and cities, thereby complementing each other's strengths and leveraging Hong Kong's edges to serve the needs of the country", he added.

     Mainland members attending the meeting included representatives from the MOST, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, the Beijing-Hong Kong Exchange of Personnel Centre, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the China Association for Science and Technology, the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province, the Guangzhou Municipal Science and Technology Bureau and the Science, Technology and Innovation Commission of Shenzhen Municipality. 
 
     The Hong Kong delegation comprised representatives from the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, the Innovation and Technology Commission, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, the Research Grants Council, the City University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Baptist University, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, the Hong Kong Productivity Council, the Automotive Platforms and Application Systems R&D Centre, the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute, the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel, the Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre, the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute and the Greater Bay Area Association of Academicians. 

Ends/Friday, December 16, 2022
Issued at HKT 12:57

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