Hong Kong and Guangdong Strengthen Innovation Cooperation at 20th Technology Meeting in Jiangmen

PSITI and Director-General of Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province co-chair 20th meeting of Guangdong/Hong Kong Expert Group on Co-operation in Technology and Innovation

The Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, MrEddie Mak, and the Director-General of the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province, Ms Wang Yueqin, co-chaired the 20th meeting of the Guangdong/Hong Kong Expert Group on Co-operation in Technology and Innovation held in Jiangmen today (March 12).

Mr Mak said at the meeting that, with the country's staunch support, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been moving towards the vision of developing Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre along the directions and strategies set out in the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint. He said that the HKSAR Government promulgated the Development Outline for the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (Hetao Co-operation Zone) in November 2024. Capitalising on the strengths of "one country, two systems" and the geographic advantages of "one river, two banks", as well as the arrangement of "one zone, two parks", the HKSARGovernment will strive to develop the Hong Kong Park into a world-class industry-academia-research platform, and an internationally competitive research and development(R&D) transformation and pilot production base for industries at full speed, with a view to facilitating the high-quality I&T development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

Mr Mak also expressed his gratitude to the Guangdong Provincial Government for its staunch support for Hong Kong's I&T development over the years. He said that in the past year, the two sides had continuously deepened their exchanges and co-operation, including the continuous implementation of the Guangdong-Hong Kong Technology Cooperation Funding Scheme, supporting the scientific research institutions in the two places to carry out joint technology R&D, co-operation in technology transfer and industrialisation, and the continued opening up of Guangdong Province's key R&D programmes and major scientific research infrastructure to Hong Kong. The HKSAR Government will continue to work closely with the relevant Mainland authorities to expedite the development of the Hetao Co-operation Zone, and to boost both the speed and quantity in developing the Hong Kong Park by leveraging market forces.

"We will make good use of Hong Kong's distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world, to deepen I&T co-operation with Guangdong Province as well as international exchanges. We will give full play to our critical roles as a 'super connector' and a 'super value-adder', with a view to contributing to the country's high-quality development," he added.

Mainland members attending the meeting included representatives fromthe Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology of theChinese Academy of Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, the Development Authority of Shenzhen Park of Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, the Qianhai Authority of Shenzhen, Science, Technology and Innovation Bureau of Jiangmen, and other education and I&T-related agencies of Guangdong Province and GBA cities. The Hong Kong delegation comprised representatives from the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau and the Innovation and Technology Commission. The Secretary of the CPC Jiangmen Municipal Committee, Mr Chen Anming, has also exchanged views on the I&T co-operation between Hong Kong and Jiangmen with the HKSAR government delegation.

After the meeting, Mr Mak visited the Jiangmen Laboratory of Carbon Science and Technology (JCL) to understand its latest developments and to explore opportunities for enhancing co-operation between R&D institutes of the two places. JCL was jointly founded by the Jiangmen Municipal Government and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou).

Mr Mak concluded his visit and returned to Hong Kong this evening (March 12).

PSITI and Director-General of Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province co-chair 20th meeting of Guangdong/Hong Kong Expert Group on Co-operation in Technology and Innovation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

PSITI and Director-General of Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province co-chair 20th meeting of Guangdong/Hong Kong Expert Group on Co-operation in Technology and Innovation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

PSITI and Director-General of Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province co-chair 20th meeting of Guangdong/Hong Kong Expert Group on Co-operation in Technology and Innovation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

PSITI and Director-General of Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province co-chair 20th meeting of Guangdong/Hong Kong Expert Group on Co-operation in Technology and Innovation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Update on chikungunya fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that, as of 5pm today (January 11), no new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded.

Latest surveillance data

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Hong Kong has recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.

Since the beginning of 2025, and as of December 10, 2025, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths have been reported in over 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Although the northern hemisphere has entered the winter season, temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions remain elevated due to climate change, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. In addition, CF outbreaks continue to occur in many countries worldwide. The risk of imported cases persists. Members of the public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries.

Government's comprehensive follow-up actions

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Given that some local cases of CF have visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area in November last year, the trails are currently closed until further notice. Relevant government departments continue to conduct large-scale mosquito control and prevention efforts along the trails, and the CHP appeals to the public not to enter the area in order to reduce the risk of contracting CF and to avoid exposure to chemicals or interfering with the mosquito control operations. Since the confirmation on December 10, 2025, of a case involving a person who had visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails on November 30, 2025, no further local cases have been recorded to date. The CHP continues to urge individuals who have recently hiked along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails to seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop relevant symptoms and to call the enquiry hotline (Tel: 2125 2373), which operates from 9am to 6pm.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has been continuously conducting intensive fogging operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails and the surrounding area. At suitable locations, large ultra-low volume foggers have been deployed, and a robot dog is being put on trial to enhance operational effectiveness. The FEHD has also set up new mosquito trapping devices, cleared discarded containers and garbage that could cause stagnant water, and applied larvicide oil or larvicides in areas with stagnant water that cannot be removed immediately. The FEHD has been collaborating with the Kwai Tsing District Office, the Lands Department and the Drainage Services Department to strengthen efforts in eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails. Pamphlets have been distributed to hikers in the area, urging citizens to be vigilant against mosquito infestations and take personal protective measures. The FEHD has also held meetings of the interdepartmental task forces on anti-mosquito work across districts to discuss the latest developments regarding the situation and plan accordingly to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders in strengthening mosquito prevention and control measures in areas under their purview.

Continuously strengthening prevention and control

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The FEHD and relevant departments have comprehensively enhanced the mosquito control operations in Hong Kong since July last year, and this has continued. Among these, the FEHD has conducted vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations against the imported and local cases. In light of the local case, the FEHD has immediately conducted follow-up actions, including:

carrying out intensive fogging in scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;

carrying out inspections of the locations, removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and disposing of abandoned water containers every week with a view to preventing mosquito breeding; and

enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets.

The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.

Preventive measures to be taken by the public

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Members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:

read the label instructions carefully first;

apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;

apply on exposed skin and clothing;

use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);

apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;

reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and

in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.

The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.

Source: AI-found images