The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (September 7) attended the Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch opening ceremony via video conferencing, witnessing another important milestone in innovation and technology (I&T) co-operation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

The opening ceremony was held in Shenzhen. The Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong; the Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Mr Eddie Mak; and the Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Mr Ivan Lee, also attended the ceremony.

The Hong Kong Science and Technology Park Corporation (HKSTPC) and the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone Development Ltd. signed a Framework Agreement in September 2021 with a view to developing the Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch so that institutes and enterprises interested in starting their business in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) could establish a presence. The Shenzhen Branch comprises two buildings with a total gross floor area of about 31 000 square metres, providing offices, laboratories, co-working spaces, as well as conference and event facilities.

Delivering a pre-recorded speech, Mr Lee said, the Hong Kong Science Park is Hong Kong's flagship I&T platform. The completion of the Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch is a result of win-win co-operation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. It demonstrates the progress of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in promoting I&T developments and marks a new beginning for I&T co-operation between the two places.

The HKSAR Government has been proactively developing the Hong Kong Park of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Co-operation Zone at the Loop (Co-operation Zone) and will continue to work with the Guangdong and Shenzhen governments to jointly promote the development of the Co-operation Zone, with a view to establishing "one zone, two parks" at "one river, two banks" underpinned by the "one country, two systems" principle and enabling the Co-operation Zone to bring together the strengths of Hong Kong and Shenzhen to serve as the bridgehead for intensive I&T co‑operation between the two places. Mr Lee hopes that the Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch will fully capitalise on the opportunity presented by the Central Government's recent announcement of the Development Plan for Shenzhen Park of Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, and contribute to the building of an I&T ecosystem with international impact.

Mr Lee pointed out that the HKSAR Government promulgated the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint at the end of last year to establish a clear development path and formulate systematic strategic planning for Hong Kong's I&T development over the next five to 10 years. He said, "Hong Kong will continue to make every effort to promote the development of the GBA into a world-renowned international I&T hub, and contribute to the country's high-level self-reliance and greater strength in science and technology."

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