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The second working meeting of the Mainland/Hong Kong Science and Technology Co-operation Committee was held in Hong Kong today (April 20).
The Committee noted that since its establishment in 2004, good progress had been made in fostering technology co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong. The meeting also discussed future work plans and strategies.
The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr Shang Yong, briefed the meeting on the "Summary of the National Plan on Medium and Long-term Development in Science and Technology". He noted that with its competitive edge and conditions, Hong Kong could help implement the plan's proposals.
Speaking at the meeting, the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr Joseph WP Wong, pointed out that further enhancement of technology co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong was in line with the nation's long-term development and was forward looking.
"The launch of the five Research and Development (R&D) Centres this afternoon by the Hong Kong SAR Government will cater for the technology needs of industry in the region and develop core technologies and intellectual property, so as to increase the competitiveness of the industry and help the industry move up the value chain," Mr Wong said.
"I hope the committee will continue to strengthen technology co-operation and exchange with a view to further enhancing research and industry development on the Mainland and in Hong Kong."
The two sides agreed to develop the five R&D Centres into a regional platform for applied research and technology transfer, and will enhance Hong Kong's participation in the hi-tech and foci research programmes on the Mainland.
The Ministry of Science and Technology agreed to invite Hong Kong's technology experts to become members of the expert management committees and expert panels under the National Hi-Tech Research and Development Program (863 Program) and the National Basic Research Program (973 Program).
In addition, the Committee agreed that the laboratories of the universities and research institutes in Hong Kong be accredited under the State Key Laboratories scheme through working as collaboration partners with the State Key Laboratories on the Mainland. The Committee will also conduct a study on technology resources in the two places.
On promotional work, the Committee agreed to organise an exhibition in Hong Kong during the National Science and Technology Week to be held in May next year. The exhibition will showcase the science and technology achievements of Hong Kong and the Mainland as well as strengthen co-operation and exchange in this aspect between the two places.
"There is already a solid foundation of technology co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong," Mr Wong said. "Today's meeting has further confirmed our future work plans. I hope the two sides will actively implement the plans and jointly strengthen co-operation and exchanges, so as to foster the development of technology research and the industry between the two places."
Established in 2004, the Mainland/Hong Kong Science and Technology Co-operation Committee is co-chaired by the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology and the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology. Comprising senior representatives from bureaus, ministries and organisations responsible for technology development on both sides, the Committee is responsible for organising and co-ordinating technology exchange and collaboration activities between Hong Kong and the Mainland.
Mainland members attending the meeting came from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of State Council, Central People's Government's Liaison Office in Hong Kong, Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai, Guangdong Provincial Department of Science and Technology and Shenzhen Bureau of Science, Technology and Information.
The Hong Kong side comprised representatives from the Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau, the Innovation and Technology Commission, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, Research Grants Council, the Department of Health, the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute, the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, the Hong Kong Productivity Council and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Institute of Chinese Medicine.
Ends/Thursday, April 20, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:11
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