The twin science parks between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, located in the border Hetao area between the two cities, have gained traction to transform into international innovation hub.
Currently they host up to 200 high-end innovation and technology projects and over 300 overseas scientists and 2,000 youngsters pursuing entrepreneurial dreams there.
On Thursday, the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone welcomed a media delegation from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), presenting significant accomplishments in a region acknowledged as the primary hub for the cities’ science and technology innovation collaboration.
READ MORE: Openness to fuel growth of HK Park in Hetao tech zone
The delegation comprises 100 journalists from Hong Kong, Macao, and the Chinese mainland, who began their week-long exploration of the region’s economic vibrancy on Wednesday.
The cooperation zone, with an area of 3.02 square kilometers, has emerged as a cornerstone of cross-border collaboration, marked by the implementation of the groundbreaking “one zone, two parks” framework and a joint policy package designed to align regulatory standards.
Key milestones include the launch of the Hong Kong Science Park’s Shenzhen branch, now housing 37 institutions, with the goal of building 11 specialized zones by redeveloping an area of 800,000 square meters and eventually turning it into a 1.2-million-square-meter international innovation hub.
The zone now hosts over 440 tech companies and up to 200 high-level tech projects spanning quantum computing breakthroughs to commercialized innovations.
The park is expected to add over 3 million square meters of research and ancillary facilities by 2035.
Institutional reforms have catalyzed growth, with a dual 15 percent tax incentive scheme, streamlined cross-border talent mobility via dedicated channels, and a pioneering “direct approval” system for special goods.
READ MORE: Hetao project will boost GBA's global sci-tech standing
Shenzhen Data Exchange leads nationally in transaction volume and cross-border deals, while fiscal oversight adopts Hong Kong and Macao SARs auditing norms.
Contact the writer at stephyzhang@chinadailyhk.com
