LCQ6: Hong Kong Park of Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone
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Question:
Regarding the planning and development of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (the Hong Kong Park), will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the sectoral distribution, as well as the current and the target future proportions, of the local, overseas and Mainland enterprises that have settled in the Hong Kong Park at present; the investment attraction targets and specific measures formulated by the Hong Kong Park for attracting leading enterprises in pillar industries (such as life and health technology and artificial intelligence) in the coming six months;
(2) of the specific progress in constructing supporting infrastructure facilities (such as transport, commercial and medical facilities) within the Hong Kong Park at present; whether such facilities can meet the needs of the enterprises and talents that have settled there; if not, how the authorities will optimize the facilities to enhance the Park's attractiveness to enterprises and talents; and
(3) of the specific construction schedule for the Western Cross-River Link Bridge Project connecting the Hong Kong Park and the Shenzhen Park; given that the Government has indicated that "contactless clearance" (i.e. a clearance process that directly uses facial recognition technology to verify users' identities without requiring the presentation of identification documents) will be implemented at the Bridge to facilitate the flow of people between the two places, of the progress of the development of the relevant facilities and the expected date for commencement of operation?
Reply:
President,
The Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (the Co-operation Zone) is located on both sides of the Shenzhen River and is one of the four major co-operation platforms in the Greater Bay Area under the National 14th Five-Year Plan. It is a major national-level co-operation zone that uniquely spans across two distinct social, economic, and judicial systems, with a dedicated focus on science and technology innovation. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been closely working with the Shenzhen Municipal Government to develop the Co-operation Zone with a view to realising the shared vision of "one river, two banks" and "one zone, two parks" under the "one country, two systems" principle, thereby leveraging the advantages of strong collaboration and alliance of Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
In November 2024, the HKSAR Government promulgated "The Development Outline for the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone" (the Development Outline), which set out the key development directions and strategies for the Hong Kong Park. The Development Outline proposed a two-phase, batch-by-batch development approach for the Park to develop. The construction of two wet laboratory buildings and one talent accommodation building under the Batch 1 development of Phase 1 has been completed. The Hong Kong Park of the Co-operation Zone was officially opened in December 2025. The remaining five buildings of the first batch will be completed progressively starting from 2027.
To expedite the construction of the Park, the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited (HSITPL) has invited the private sector to express interests towards the remaining land parcels under Phase 1 development. The HKSAR Government will consider disposing the land parcels through tendering or public-private partnership models to the market in an orderly manner starting this year with a view to leveraging market forces to develop the Park in an accelerated and efficient manner.
Having consulted the Development Bureau, the Security Bureau and the Transport and Logistics Bureau, our reply in response to the questions raised by Hon Chan Yung is as follows:
(1) As of the end of December 2025, over 60 technology enterprises and institutions have signed leases for spaces in the two wet laboratory buildings and have begun moving in, occupying nearly 80 per cent of the total floor area of these two buildings. Approximately 60 per cent of these enterprises are from the Mainland, 15 per cent from overseas, and the remaining (roughly 25 per cent) are local Hong Kong enterprises. In terms of industry distribution, about half are engaged in artificial intelligence and data science, close to 40 per cent are involved in life and health sciences, and the remaining operates in other frontier technology fields such as microelectronics, new energy, and robotics.
The enterprises that have established presence in the Park are primarily attracted by its regional advantages. Hong Kong's unique strength in connecting overseas and Mainland markets not only assists Mainland companies in "going global" but also facilitates overseas enterprises in using Hong Kong as a springboard to enter the Greater Bay Area and the Mainland market. HSITPL will continue to participate in and organise roadshows, exhibitions, and major conferences in key innovation and technology cities both domestically and internationally to promote the Park and attract more high-quality enterprises and institutions to establish presence.
Furthermore, enabling the cross-boundary flow of innovation elements between the two Parks is key to realising the Co-operation Zone's development vision of "one river, two banks" and "one zone, two parks". These elements include the "four flows": personnel, materials (e.g., biosamples), capital, and data. To this end, the HKSAR Government has been actively and closely engaging with relevant Mainland authorities to explore innovative policy measures under a controlled manner in compliance with relevant national laws and regulations.
(2) The design of the Park follows the "people-oriented" principle, with an aim to creating a comfortable and high-quality living environment for enterprises, talent, and their families.
The first talent accommodation building welcomed its first batch of residents in December 2025. Food and beverage and living amenities (including Chinese, Western, and Korean restaurants, fast-food outlets, snack shop, convenience store, ATM, smart parcel lockers, etc.) have commenced operation progressively. We will also reserve space within the remaining plots of Phase 1 development for retail, dining, and short-term accommodation purposes, thereby enhancing the overall living and working experience of the Park.
On transportation, to support the Park's transition into its operational phase, the Park Company has arranged shuttle bus services connecting to or passing through Lok Ma Chau Station, Yuen Long Station, and Sheung Shui Station. The Park also provides car parking spaces and bicycle parking spaces. The Transport Department will plan for appropriate public transport services (such as franchised bus services) subject to the demand. In the longer term, the Northern Link Spur Line under planning will pass through the Park with a railway station thereat.
(3) The "Western Cross-River Link Bridge Project" which connects the two parks in Hong Kong and Shenzhen has commenced in December 2025. This project will open up the transportation network of the Co-operation Zone, effectively facilitating the cross-boundary flow of personnel and showcasing the advantages of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong boundary facilities and innovative management policies. The two sides will adopt a design concept of integrating the cross-boundary bridge with the surrounding ecological environment and with an emphasis on low-carbon technology, safety and convenience, and a pleasant scenery, as well as adopting a "single-span across the river" construction approach. We will strive for the early completion of the relevant construction works, which is targeted to complete by mid-2027.
Regarding customs and immigration arrangements, to facilitate the cross-boundary movement of innovation and technology personnel, the two governments will actively explore the adoption of innovative customs clearance modes. The target is to enable pre-verified individuals to enjoy a contactless clearance experience through the use of facial recognition technology.
Thank you, President.
Ends/Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Issued at HKT 14:42
Issued at HKT 14:42
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