Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong (second left), Minister of State for Advanced Technology of the UAE Sarah bint Yousif Al Amiri (second right), CEO of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation Albert Wong (first right) and CEO of the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Peter Yan (first left) pose for a photo after a meeting in Dubai on March 5, 2024. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday expressed their willingness to strengthen cooperation in the fields of innovation and technology and new industrialization.

The two sides also expressed their hope to further enhance exchange and pragmatic collaboration in advanced technology of the industries.

The discussion took place when Hong Kong’s Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong met Minister of State for Advanced Technology of the UAE Sarah bint Yousif Al Amiri in Dubai. Sun is leading a delegation of Hong Kong’s I&T industry to visit Dubai.

HKSAR Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong (third right), Under Secretary of the Foreign Trade and Industry of the UAE Ministry of Economy Abdulla Al Saleh (third left), CEO of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation Albert Wong (second right), CEO of the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Peter Yan (second left) and other attendees pose for a photo during a business luncheon hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai, the UAE, on March 6, 2024. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

Speaking at a business luncheon earlier in the day, Sun said that Hong Kong and the UAE have a lot in common, including the vision to develop a diversified and sustainable economy and to become a leading I&T center in the regions.

As a "super value-adder", Hong Kong makes good use of the distinctive advantage of being "backed by the motherland, and connected to the world" to create value in enhancing mutually beneficial partnership with friends in the international community, he said.

Hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai, the luncheon was attended by about 120 guests from local government of the UAE and businesses, particularly leaders and executives of the UAE's I&T community.

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Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong (left) meets Under Secretary of the Foreign Trade and Industry of the UAE Ministry of Economy Abdulla Al Saleh in Dubai, the UAE, on March 6, 2024. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

Sun also had a brief exchange about I&T development in Hong Kong and the UAE with the Under Secretary of the Foreign Trade and Industry of the UAE Ministry of Economy, Abdulla Al Saleh, who also attended the luncheon.

Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong (front row, second right) and the delegation visit the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Innovation Hub on March 6, 2024. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

During the day, the Hong Kong delegation visited the Dubai International Financial Centre Innovation Hub to learn about the latest development of DIFC as one of the fintech centers and innovation hubs in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia regions, and the innovation hub's work in fostering the transformation, innovation and entrepreneurship of the fintech sector.

A delegation of representatives from the innovation and technology industry led by Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong pose for a group photo after visiting the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park on March 5, 2024. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong (front row, second left) visits the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park on March 5, 2024. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

Earlier, upon arrival in Dubai on Tuesday, the delegation visited the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park to learn how the park provides an enabling environment for the development and management of innovative ecosystems, and supports collaboration between government, industry and academia to promote research and development and entrepreneurial innovation. Prof Sun also visited the park's innovation laboratory – SOI Lab – and data center.

Acting Consul-General of the People's Republic of China in Dubai Liu Zhengjie (center), Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong (fifth left), CEO of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation Albert Wong (fourth left), CEO of the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Peter Yan (third left) and other attendees pose for a photo after a meeting at the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Dubai, the UAE, on March 5, 2024. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

He then called on the acting Consul-General of the People's Republic of China in Dubai Liu Zhengjie and briefed him on the HKSAR government's efforts in leading the city to realize its vision of becoming an international I&T hub.

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Members of the delegation include Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation Albert Wong; Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited Peter Yan, and representatives from more than 10 technology enterprises in the two I&T flagships and relevant industries.