Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (second right), and Vice Minister of Science and Technology Professor Zhang Guangjun (on screen), co-chair the 16th meeting of the Mainland/Hong Kong Science and Technology Co-operation Committee via video conferencing in Hong Kong, Dec 16, 2022. Also joining the meeting were Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Eddie Mak (second left); Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Lillian Cheong (first left); and Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Rebecca Pun (first right). (PHOTO / INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HKSAR)

Hong Kong must capitalize on its advantages as an international city under "one country, two systems" and continue to create strong impetus for innovation and technology development to better integrate into the nation's overall development, the secretary for innovation, technology and industry stressed on Friday.

Professor Sun Dong made the statement while co-chairing with Vice Minister of Science and Technology Prof Zhang Guangjun the 16th meeting of the Mainland/Hong Kong Science and Technology Co-operation Committee held via video conferencing, the government said in a statement. 

The National 14th Five-Year Plan clearly states the support for Hong Kong to develop into an international I&T center and has included the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Loop as one of the four major platforms of co-operation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area for the first time, presenting new and historical opportunities for Hong Kong, he said.

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The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government will promulgate the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint soon to establish a clear development path and systematic strategic planning for the city's I&T development over the next five to 10 years.

The next five years will be a critical period for Hong Kong to break new ground and leap forward.

Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, HKSAR

The government will also fully pursue the National 14th Five-Year Plan's vision by implementing the four broad development directions in supporting Hong Kong to develop into an international I&T center.

Prof Sun also expressed his gratitude to the central government and the Ministry of Science and Technology for their staunch support to Hong Kong's I&T development over the years.

Looking ahead, he said that the SAR government will continue to adopt a multipronged approach to deepen the co-operation and exchanges in I&T with the mainland.

Stressing that The next five years will be a critical period for Hong Kong to break new ground and leap forward, he said, “The HKSAR government will give full play to Hong Kong's own advantages by attracting I&T resources around the globe and strengthening I&T co-operation with different mainland provinces and cities, thereby complementing each other's strengths and leveraging Hong Kong's edges to serve the needs of the country.

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In particular, the Hong Kong government will work together with the ministry to advance the development of Hong Kong into an international I&T center as well as the development of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation & Technology Co-operation Zone.

On the basis of "one zone, two parks", the two sides will study the trial implementation of a cross-boundary policy on I&T co-operation, with a view to facilitating the cross-boundary flows of key I&T elements.