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The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Frederick Ma, and the the Chairman of the Shenzhen side of the "Steering Group on Shenzhen/Hong Kong Co-operation in Innovation and Technology", Mr Liu Yingli, today (May 5) co-chaired the second meeting of the "Steering Group on Shenzhen/Hong Kong Co-operation in Innovation and Technology" in Hong Kong.
The meeting reviewed the items of co-operation now under way and agreed on the focuses for future co-operation.
The two sides agreed to carry out more in-depth and comprehensive collaboration and exchange in various areas, such as promoting technology development and transfers, strengthening co-operation in radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, promoting co-operation in technology affecting people's daily lives, strengthening co-operation in intellectual property protection and promoting the exchange of talent and sharing of resources.
Following the signing of a co-operation agreement on the "Shenzhen/Hong Kong Innovation Circle" by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government in May last year, the two sides have launched several co-operative measures, including launching the Shenzhen/Hong Kong Technology Co-operation Funding Scheme to jointly fund collaborative research and development projects for the first time. After assessments of applications received, the two sides supported four projects in core technologies for RFID and integrated circuits with a total funding of about $35 million .
Furthermore, both sides have organised various technology exchange activities, such as seminars on technology research projects and a forum on the "Shenzhen/Hong Kong Innovation Circle", as well as the "Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation Circle Pavilion" at the China Hi-Tech Fair in October last year which aimed to enhance public understanding of technology co-operation between the two places. The Shenzhen-Hong Kong Productivity Foundation also came into full operation at the end of last year. The science and technology parks of Shenzhen and Hong Kong are actively encouraging admission of research institutes and enterprises from the other side. Both places have also stepped up technological co-operation in various areas, including control of infectious diseases, pharmaceutical R&D and food tests.
Meanwhile, the governments of Shenzhen and Hong Kong are also actively promoting large-scale technology collaborative projects. Both sides have successfully invited DuPont to set up its global photovoltaic business headquarters and R&D centre in Hong Kong, as well as a related manufacturing base in Shenzhen.
"Shenzhen and Hong Kong have embarked on extensive technological co-operation in recent years. The steering group serves as an important platform to further promote technological collaboration between the two sides. The two sides have implemented various measures to promote technology exchanges and co-operation since the signing of the co-operation agreement on 'Shenzhen/Hong Kong Innovation Circle'. Both sides will work on this basis to foster the development of technology and industry of the two places," Mr Ma said.
The steering group, set up under the co-operation agreement on the "Shenzhen/Hong Kong Innovation Circle", is to facilitate high-level deliberations to co-ordinate technology collaboration and exchange between the two sides, such as promoting interaction between R&D organisations and tertiary institutes, fostering science and technology education as well as innovation and technology culture, and aiding the commercialisation of R&D deliverables. Members of the steering group comprise senior government officials as well as representatives of relevant departments and technology support organisations of both places.
At the meeting today, members of the Hong Kong side included the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, the Innovation and Technology Commission, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, the Office of the Telecommunications Authority and the Intellectual Property Department.
Mainland members attending the meeting comprised various municipal government departments, including the Shenzhen Bureau of Technology and Information, the Shenzhen Bureau of Development and Reform, the Shenzhen Bureau of Education, the Shenzhen Bureau of Health and the Office of the Leading Group of Shenzhen Hi-Tech Industrial Park.
Ends/Monday, May 5, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:30
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