Guangdong-Hong Kong Meeting Advances Innovation and Technology Cooperation Under China's 15th Five-Year Plan

PSITI and Director-General of Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province cochair 21st meeting of Guangdong/Hong Kong Expert Group on Co-operation in Technology and Innovation

The Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Mr Kevin Choi, and the Director-General of the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province, Ms Wang Yueqin, cochaired the 21st meeting of the Guangdong/Hong Kong Expert Group on Co-operation in Technology and Innovation held in Hong Kong today (March 25).

Mr Choi said at the meeting that the Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the People’s Republic of China (the 15th Five-Year Plan) reaffirms support for Hong Kong's development into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre. The Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau's formulation team will explore how Hong Kong's I&T development can align with the country's strategy of achieving greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology under the 15th Five-Year Plan, and how to accelerate Hong Kong's development into an international I&T centre, giving full play to its roles as a "super connector" and a "super value-adder". With the country's staunch support, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been gradually implementing various important initiatives along the directions and strategies set out in the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint to enhance Hong Kong's I&T ecosystem.

Mr Choi added that the HKSAR and Guangdong Province have closely collaborated in the development of I&T. In the past year, research institutions of the two places had made notable progress in joint technology research and development (R&D), technology transfers and industrialisation collaboration. In addition to continuing the support for joint technology R&D collaboration among universities, research institutions, and enterprises through a joint funding scheme, Guangdong Province also continued to open up its science and technology programmes to Hong Kong.

Mr Choi said that the HKSAR Government will continue to adopt a multipronged approach to deepen I&T co-operation and exchanges with Guangdong Province, and continue to promote the construction and development of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (Hetao Co-operation Zone), capitalising on the strengths of the "one country, two systems" framework and the geographic advantages of "one river, two banks", with a view to developing the Hetao Co-operation Zone into a world-class key I&T platform and an important engine for the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

"This year marks the beginning of the country's 15th Five-Year Plan, in which the country has set 'substantial improvements in scientific and technological self-reliance and strength' as one of the major goals in its socio-economic development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. The HKSAR Government will fully support and proactively align with the 15th Five-Year Plan and work at full speed to formulate Hong Kong's first five-year plan, in a bid to drive Hong Kong's deeper integration into and contribution to the overall national development. We will also continue to work with with Guangdong Province to contribute to the high-quality development of the GBA and the country," he added.

Members from the Chinese Mainland attending the meeting included representatives from the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation, the Guangdong Academy of Sciences, the Development Authority of Shenzhen Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, and the Guangdong Science and Technology Cooperation Centre. The Hong Kong delegation comprised representatives from the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau and the Innovation and Technology Commission.

The Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Mr Kevin Choi (sixth right), and the Director-General of the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province, Ms Wang Yueqin (sixth left), cochaired the 21st meeting of the Guangdong/Hong Kong Expert Group on Co-operation in Technology and Innovation held in Hong Kong today (March 25). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Director-General of the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province, Ms Wang Yueqin, delivers a speech at the 21st meeting of the Guangdong/Hong Kong Expert Group on Co-operation in Technology and Innovation today (March 25). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Mr Kevin Choi, delivers a speech at the 21st meeting of the Guangdong/Hong Kong Expert Group on Co-operation in Technology and Innovation today (March 25). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CS concludes visit to Shaanxi Province

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, visited Shaanxi Province for two consecutive days from yesterday (April 4), where he called on local leaders and exchanged views with officials on strengthening the development of various aspects between the two places, including cultural exchanges, educational co-operation, and innovation and technology.

Mr Chan called on the Secretary of the CPC Shaanxi Provincial Committee, Mr Zhao Yide, yesterday to exchange views on deepening Hong Kong-Shaanxi exchanges and co-operation. The Executive Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xu Qifang, also attended the meeting. Mr Chan said that since the signing of the Strengthening Hong Kong/Shaanxi Co-operation Agreement and a series of Memoranda of Understanding in areassuch as legal services, innovation and technology, education, and tourism in 2024, exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Shaanxi have yielded fruitful results under the support of the Central Government and through the joint efforts of both places. He added that co-operation in various aspects between the two places, in particular in the areas of cultural exchanges, educational co-operation, and innovation and technology, can be strengthened to achieve complementary advantages in the future.

During the meeting, Mr Chan expressed his gratitude for the invitation by the Shaanxi Provincial People's Government to the memorial ceremony for legendary emperor Huang Di during the Ching Ming Festival. He said that the event was significant, connecting descendants of the Yan and Huang emperors from around the world to worship together the earliest mythical ruler Huang Di, and to pass on the good moral quality of treasuring historical legacies for the Chinese nation. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's participation can help Hong Kong citizens to gain a deeper understanding of the origin of the Chinese civilisation, building a stronger sense of national identity and affection. He also expressed hope for strengthening co-operation in patriotic education with Shaanxi in the future, enabling Hong Kong citizens, especially the younger generation, to gain a deeper understanding of and identification with the nation and Chinese culture.

Mr Chan concluded his visit to Shaanxi Province after attending the memorial ceremony for legendary emperor Huang Di during the Ching Ming Festival this morning, and returned to Hong Kong this afternoon.

CS concludes visit to Shaanxi Province Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CS concludes visit to Shaanxi Province Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CS concludes visit to Shaanxi Province Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CS concludes visit to Shaanxi Province Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases