The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with the Director of the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), Mr Zhuang Rongwen, in Hong Kong today (April 12), to exchange views on deepening innovation and technology (I&T) collaboration and jointly witness the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Co-operation in Innovation and Technology Development (MOU) between the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau and the CAC, joining hands to promote the high-quality development of the digital economy through technological innovation.

     The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, and the Deputy Director of the CAC, Mr Wang Jingtao, singed the MOU. Covering key areas including promotion of AI, cross-boundary data flow and blockchain, the MOU aims to deepen the implementation of the National 15th Five-Year Plan, supporting Hong Kong's development into an international I&T centre, promoting a new real economy driven by technological innovation, and driving Hong Kong's deeper integration into and contribution to the overall national development. The two places will further strengthen co-operation and jointly propel new quality productive forces development, deepen co-operation in cybersecurity, and strengthen international exchanges and promotion.

     Mr Lee expressed his gratitude for the CAC's support for Hong Kong's I&T development. He said, "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will actively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan, formulate Hong Kong's first five-year plan, striving to develop Hong Kong into an international I&T centre and a hub for high-end international talent, and achieving high-quality development. The MOU signed today marks a new milestone in the co-operation between the HKSAR Government and the CAC in the development of the digital economy, and fully demonstrates the country's high commitment and support to Hong Kong's I&T development. Hong Kong will continue to capitalise on our distinctive advantages of having strong support from the motherland and close connection with the world under the "one country, two systems" principle, deepen collaboration with the CAC to further promote cross-boundary data flow in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and jointly contribute to building a technologically advanced nation."

     Mr Lee said that Hong Kong was designated again to stage the World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit this year on April 13 and 14. Hong Kong will proactively demonstrate its strengths in the digital economy and innovation capabilities, and leverage the pivotal role as a bridge for "going global and attracting foreign investment", so as to further deepen international exchanges and co-operation, and to expand broader and more diversified opportunities for I&T collaboration.

     Professor Sun Dong said, "The National 15th Five-Year Plan explicitly supports Hong Kong's development into an international I&T centre. At the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan and with the robust support from the country, the HKSAR Government will accelerate the promotion of I&T development to build Hong Kong into a source of innovation for the country and the world, taking a new leap forward in Hong Kong's I&T development while serving the country's needs."

Ends/Sunday, April 12, 2026
Issued at HKT 20:43

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