The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) today (July 28) signed the Co-operation Agreement on Advancing the Joint Establishment of Manufacturing Innovation Centre by the Ministry and Hong Kong (the Co-operation Agreement) at the Central Government Offices.

     The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, and Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology Mr Xiong Jijun signed the Co-operation Agreement on behalf of the HKSAR Government and the MIIT respectively. The Co-operation Agreement aims to take forward the Co-operation Agreement on the Development of New Quality Productive Forces and the Promotion of New Industrialisation signed by the two sides in September 2024, deepen industrial co-operation between the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong, facilitate Hong Kong's better integration into and service of the national development, and jointly support the establishment of a manufacturing innovation centre in Hong Kong.

     Professor Sun said, "It has been proposed in this year's Budget to reserve funding to establish in Hong Kong the first national manufacturing innovation centre outside the Chinese Mainland, with the aim of facilitating breakthroughs in key technologies, advancing commercialisation of technological achievements, and bringing together international talent. To this end, the HKSAR Government supports the Hong Kong Microelectronics Research and Development Institute by building on its existing foundation to undertake the important task of taking the lead to operate the innovation centre. This initiative will align with the national planning priorities for technologies and industries, and leverage the unique advantages of Hong Kong's existing semiconductor ecosystem."

     Before the signing ceremony, both sides also met and held detailed discussions on how Hong Kong can better align with the national new industrialisation development plan, co-ordinate with Chinese Mainland cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and integrate into and serve the building of a national modern industrial system.

Ends/Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Issued at HKT 12:10

NNNN