Xiangjiang Guanlan: The Hetao Plan injects new momentum into the development of Hong Kong's innovation and technology. Planning | Hong Kong | Innovation and Technology

Hong Kong, September 6th (Xinhua) - The "Hetao Plan" injects new momentum into the development of Hong Kong's innovation and technology

China News Agency reporter Xiang Luping

On September 5th, the State Council Information Office held a press conference in Beijing on the development plan of the Shenzhen Park of the Hetao Shenzhen Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone. The Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Chen Guoji, attended and introduced the relevant situation in Hong Kong. This is the first time that officials from the new Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government have made an appearance at the press conference of the State Council Information Office, highlighting their emphasis on Hong Kong. The introduction of the Plan will inject new momentum into the future development of innovation and technology in Hong Kong.

Literally speaking, although the "Plan" emphasizes the requirements for the development of Shenzhen parks, it also represents support and requirements for Hong Kong. Among the many cooperation platforms constructed in the Greater Bay Area, Hetao is the only one with a theme of scientific and technological innovation cooperation. The 10000 word "Plan" mentions Hong Kong more than 60 times, reflecting how to support Hong Kong, how to collaborate with Hong Kong, how to revolve around Hong Kong, and how to serve Hong Kong. The original intention and mission of Shenzhen Park is not to be a general platform for technological innovation, but to actively promote the coordinated development and complementarity between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, and support Hong Kong's integration into the overall development of the country.

On the day of the release of the "Plan" by the State Council, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Li Jiachao, expressed gratitude to the central government and Shenzhen city for their support in the development of the Hetao Shenzhen Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone. Afterwards, he repeatedly mentioned it on different occasions, stating that the "Plan" has injected new impetus into the cooperation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen in the development of innovation and technology, pushing it up a new ladder. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will continue to actively collaborate with Shenzhen to promote the Shenzhen Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone to leverage the advantages of "one zone, two parks" under the "one country, two systems" policy, achieve a bridgehead for deep cooperation in innovation and technology, and enable Hong Kong to fully leverage its unique advantages of being backed by the motherland and connecting with the world, to support the construction of the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area International Science and Technology Innovation Center.

People have noticed that Li Jiachao emphasized "collaborative promotion". Indeed, the technological innovation cooperation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen has a natural complementary effect. Hong Kong has strong basic scientific research strength. At present, there are 5 universities among the world's top 100, more than 40 academicians of the National Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 16 State Key Laboratory, 6 sub centers of national engineering technology research centers, and 28 innovative research and development laboratories cooperating with world-class universities and scientific research institutions.

In the past few years, the development of the Hetao Shenzhen Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone has made good progress. For example, in July 2022, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park Company launched the "Greater Bay Area Innovation and Technology Express" in its Shenzhen campus, providing business development support services for innovation and technology enterprises in Hong Kong and mainland China; The Shenzhen branch of the Hong Kong Science Park, located in the Shenzhen campus, has gradually begun operating. At the same time, the first batch of the first three buildings in the Hong Kong Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park will be completed gradually from the end of 2024 according to the original schedule.

To lead Hong Kong in realizing its vision of becoming an international innovation and technology center, the SAR government will release the "Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint" at the end of 2022, formulating a clear development path and systematic strategic plan for Hong Kong's innovation and technology development in the next five to ten years. At present, in terms of introducing innovative enterprises, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government team has contacted more than 200 enterprises, and more than 25 have already settled or are preparing to expand their operations in Hong Kong. The initial plan is to invest over HKD 17 billion to create more than 4000 job opportunities.

For industry professionals engaged in innovative technology, the Plan has expanded the space for them to showcase their skills. The words of Xian Handi, President of the Hong Kong Internet Professional Association, are representative. He said, "I am very excited about the content of the 'Plan'. Since the first day when the Hetao area was designated as the Hong Kong Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Cooperation Zone, its unique geographical location has been destined to become an important node in the Guangzhou Shenzhen Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Corridor. The release of this' Plan 'is further empowering this node."

Undoubtedly, Hong Kong, which is actively building an international innovation and technology center, plays an important role in the Plan. We believe that the advantages of "one country, two systems" can enable Hong Kong to fully leverage its role of "relying on the motherland and connecting with the international community", and contribute to the national strategy of building a strong science and technology country.

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