The Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Mr Kevin Choi, and the Director-General of the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province, Ms Wang Yueqin, cochaired the 21st meeting of the Guangdong/Hong Kong Expert Group on Co-operation in Technology and Innovation held in Hong Kong today (March 25).

     Mr Choi said at the meeting that the Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the People’s Republic of China (the 15th Five-Year Plan) reaffirms support for Hong Kong's development into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre. The Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau's formulation team will explore how Hong Kong's I&T development can align with the country's strategy of achieving greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology under the 15th Five-Year Plan, and how to accelerate Hong Kong's development into an international I&T centre, giving full play to its roles as a "super connector" and a "super value-adder". With the country's staunch support, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been gradually implementing various important initiatives along the directions and strategies set out in the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint to enhance Hong Kong's I&T ecosystem.

     Mr Choi added that the HKSAR and Guangdong Province have closely collaborated in the development of I&T. In the past year, research institutions of the two places had made notable progress in joint technology research and development (R&D), technology transfers and industrialisation collaboration. In addition to continuing the support for joint technology R&D collaboration among universities, research institutions, and enterprises through a joint funding scheme, Guangdong Province also continued to open up its science and technology programmes to Hong Kong. 

     Mr Choi said that the HKSAR Government will continue to adopt a multipronged approach to deepen I&T co-operation and exchanges with Guangdong Province, and continue to promote the construction and development of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (Hetao Co-operation Zone), capitalising on the strengths of the "one country, two systems" framework and the geographic advantages of "one river, two banks", with a view to developing the Hetao Co-operation Zone into a world-class key I&T platform and an important engine for the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

     "This year marks the beginning of the country's 15th Five-Year Plan, in which the country has set 'substantial improvements in scientific and technological self-reliance and strength' as one of the major goals in its socio-economic development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. The HKSAR Government will fully support and proactively align with the 15th Five-Year Plan and work at full speed to formulate Hong Kong's first five-year plan, in a bid to drive Hong Kong's deeper integration into and contribution to the overall national development. We will also continue to work with with Guangdong Province to contribute to the high-quality development of the GBA and the country," he added. 

     Members from the Chinese Mainland attending the meeting included representatives from the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation, the Guangdong Academy of Sciences, the Development Authority of Shenzhen Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, and the Guangdong Science and Technology Cooperation Centre. The Hong Kong delegation comprised representatives from the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau and the Innovation and Technology Commission.

Ends/Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Issued at HKT 15:55

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