************************************************************
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, and the Vice Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal Government, Mr Tang Jie, co-chaired the fifth meeting of the Steering Group on Shenzhen/Hong Kong Co-operation in Innovation and Technology in Shenzhen today (May 18).
At the Steering Group meeting, members reviewed the progress of work since the last meeting, and consolidated the successful experience of the Three-year Action Plan under the Shenzhen/Hong Kong Innovation Circle. Members also confirmed the priority of work for 2012-13.
Mr So said, "Shenzhen and Hong Kong continued to collaborate closely over the past year to complete the various projects under the Three-year Action Plan put forward by the Shenzhen/Hong Kong Innovation Circle. The collaboration platforms built and research projects undertaken have contributed to enhancing the synergistic effects of the Shenzhen/Hong Kong Innovation Circle."
Mr So also said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government supported sustainable development of innovation and technology as a pillar industry of Hong Kong.
The Chinese University of Hong Kong, the City University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have since established their Industry, Academic and Research (IAR) Bases under the Three-year Action Plan. Equipped with advanced teaching and laboratory facilities, the bases are now used for research and development (R&D) work, including applied research and incubation projects. This reflects the successful co-operation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen in science and technology.
"We are devoted to the development of science and technology clusters in Hong Kong. Developed at an estimated cost of $4.9 billion, Hong Kong Science Park Phase 3 will be completed in stages starting from early 2014 to provide an additional gross floor area of 105,000 square metres, accommodating 150 companies with around 4 000 R&D-related jobs. We also welcome international companies to set up their operations in Hong Kong, and we expect that Hong Kong, with our traditional strengths and unique advantages, will serve as the testing ground for the Mainland's science and technology enterprises to 'go global', further enhancing collaboration and complementary strengths for the two sides," Mr So said.
The HKSAR Government wishes to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the National 12th Five-Year Plan through promoting collaboration between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, fully acting on Hong Kong's strengths and participating in more Mainland science and technology projects. This will enhance the development of Hong Kong's science and technology sector.
Mr So added, "Recently, a university in Hong Kong has successfully joined the national science and technology programme through its Shenzhen subsidiary. We will continue to encourage more Hong Kong science and research institutes to participate in national science and technology programmes through their Shenzhen IAR Bases.
"We will continue to work together with Shenzhen to promote science and technology co-operation on the two sides through the Guangdong-Hong Kong Technology Co-operation Funding Scheme (TCFS).
"We are also committed to encouraging major Shenzhen enterprises to set up R&D centres in Hong Kong, support development of the Shenzhen IAR Bases, and actively promote major joint Hong Kong-Shenzhen R&D collaboration projects.
"At the same time, we will also maintain close liaison with Shenzhen and continue to build science and technology collaboration platforms on both sides."
Shenzhen and Hong Kong signed the co-operation agreement on the Shenzhen/Hong Kong Innovation Circle in May 2007. The Steering Group is an important platform for promoting exchange and collaboration in innovation and technology between the two sides.
Since the signing of the co-operation agreement, the two sides have expanded the TCFS to cover new project categories to provide joint funding for more collaborative R&D projects.
The Shenzhen and Hong Kong technology areas under the 2011 TCFS are in line with the focus of development of the Shenzhen/Hong Kong Innovation Circle. They include Internet technologies, R&D in biomedicine, new energy and energy-saving technologies, integrated circuits and novel electronic devices, research and application of high-performance luminescent materials, advanced manufacturing, medical devices and biotechnologies for enhancing food safety. Once the relevant projects are approved, Shenzhen and Hong Kong will join forces on research, with a view to promoting commercialisation of research achievements.
Accompanying Mr So to attend the meeting today were the Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Technology), Ms Elizabeth Tse; the Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Miss Janet Wong; and officials from the Education Bureau, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and the University Grants Committee Secretariat.
On the Shenzhen side, the Director-General of the Shenzhen Science, Technology and Innovation Commission, Mr Lu Jian, accompanied the Vice Mayor to attend the meeting.
Ends/Friday, May 18, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:37
NNNN
