LCQ12: Synergistic development of Shenzhen and Hong Kong in science and technology innovation
6.12.2023

Following is a question by Dr the Hon Kennedy Wong and a written reply by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, in the Legislative Council today (December 6): Question: The Development Plan for Shenzhen Park of Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (the Development Plan for Shenzhen Park) promulgated by the Central Authorities on August 29 this year has put forward a total of 30 measures covering areas such as the development positioning, objectives, overall layout and infrastructure layout of the Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Zone (the Shenzhen Park), as well as the ways to collaborate with Hong Kong in promoting international science and technology innovation. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council: (1) given that the Development Plan for Shenzhen Park has proposed strengthening organisation and implementation, including studying ways to resolve the difficulties and problems of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone in aspects such as institutional and system innovation, refinement of the details of policies and measures and construction of major projects, how the Government will formulate for the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park (the Hong Kong Park) corresponding Hong Kong side's policies to complement such measures with a view to creating synergistic effects; (2) in the light of the development objectives to be achieved by 2025 as set out in the Development Plan for Shenzhen Park (including basically establishing a highly efficient Shenzhen-Hong Kong science and technology innovation synergistic mechanism, and the smooth flow of basic elements, integration of innovation chains, and smooth flow of personnel between the Shenzhen Park and the Hong Kong Park), whether the Government has studied and discussed with the relevant Mainland departments the arrangements for the flow of data and capital between the two places; if so, of the details; and (3) given that the first three buildings of the Hong Kong Park will only be completed by phases from the end of next year onwards, whether the Government has assessed if the construction progress will affect the Hong Kong Park's efforts to tie in with the vision and objectives set out in the Development Plan for Shenzhen Park; how the Government will co-ordinate the development of the Hong Kong Park, the San Tin Technopole and the Northern Metropolis, with a view to maximising the benefits arising from the synergistic development of Shenzhen and Hong Kong in science and technology innovation? Reply: President, The Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (Co-operation Zone) is one of the major co-operation platforms in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) under the "Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the People's Republic of China and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035". Located at the convergence point of the Northern Metropolis and the Guangzhou-Shenzhen innovation and technology corridor, the Co-operation Zone consists of the 87-hectare Hong Kong Park (i.e. Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park (HSITP)) and 300-hectare Shenzhen Park. The Central Government promulgated in August this year the Development Plan for Shenzhen Park of Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, setting out the development positioning of the Shenzhen Park. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will render its full support and continue to work with the Shenzhen Municipal Government to foster the synergistic development of the Hong Kong Park and the Shenzhen Park, and explore innovative measures. The consolidated reply to various parts of the question raised by Dr the Hon Kennedy Wong is as follows: To enhance collaboration and communication on development of the Co-operation Zone, Hong Kong and Shenzhen established the Joint Task Force on the Development of the HSITP in the Loop (Joint Task Force) in 2017, which is co-chaired by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry and Vice Mayor of Shenzhen, with relevant representatives from governments and park companies of both sides. The Joint Task Force has held 10 meetings so far, with the recent one held in September 2023 in Hong Kong. At that meeting, both sides were briefed about the progress of Hong Kong Park and Shenzhen Park. In addition, both sides exchanged views on the future development of the Co-operation Zone, including the planning and development progress of two parks, as well as dedicated cross-boundary measures (such as enabling the travel of innovation and technology (I&T) personnel between the two places). Cross-boundary innovative elements including talent, materials and data are key to the Co-operation Zone's "one river, two banks", "one zone, two parks". As such, the HKSAR Government will continue our active collaboration with Shenzhen, as well as integration into the national development, thereby promoting the advantages of "one zone, two parks" under "one country, two systems" in the Co-operation Zone and ensuring smooth flow of talent, materials and data, and serving as the bridgehead for intensive I&T co-operation between the two places. Innovative measures under active exploration by two sides include: 1. The Co-operation Zone will operate under the mode of "one zone, two parks", with research personnel going to work early and returning home late between two places every day. As such, it is necessary to provide convenient clearance mode and facilities to allow designated personnel to enjoy travel convenience by, for example, enabling those who have pre-registered under the system to enjoy streamlined access between the two parks, and adopting technology to facilitate faster movement. In addition, to facilitate I&T personnel travelling frequently between two sides every day, the HKSAR Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government are exploring the construction of cross-boundary footbridge between two parks but exact location is subject to discussion between the two Governments; 2. Hetao can become an important stronghold for key I&T enterprises from Mainland or overseas to set up headquarters or research centres in Hong Kong. The HKSAR Government will discuss with relevant Central ministries on facilitating cross-boundary capital flow in the Co-operation Zone; 3. Both Governments will consider simplifying clearance procedures for research materials and equipment, by means such as "green channel", "white list" etc, thereby facilitating exchanges on data and samples (including clinical biological samples) collected for research or trials; 4. The Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau of the HKSAR Government signed the "Memorandum of Understanding on Facilitating Cross-boundary Data Flow Within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area" with the Cyberspace Administration of China in June 2023 which set out that under national cross-boundary data security management system framework, collaboration on cross-boundary data flow will be promoted to facilitate the convenient and orderly cross-boundary flow of personal data from Mainland to Hong Kong. In response to specific requirement for cross-boundary research data from enterprises, the HKSAR Government will work with relevant authorities on the premise of complying with national data security laws and regulations and risk controllability, to strive to expand the cross-boundary research data flow from the Mainland to Hong Kong for use by enterprises in the Hong Kong Park of Hetao. The Hong Kong Park will be developed in two phases from west to east. The preliminary planning for the first phase has been completed. With a total floor area of up to 10 million square feet, the Hong Kong park will contain various clusters with different industry themes, including life and health technology, research, academic and industry, artificial intelligence and data science, and new technology advanced manufacturing, as well as a talent accommodation area and commercial and ancillary facilities. This will not only establish a diverse I&T ecosystem, but also create a vibrant and sustainable new community. The first three buildings of the first phase will be completed gradually from the end of 2024 as planned. At the same time, the HKSAR Government will expedite and enhance the construction of high-quality research and industrial facilities through investment promotion and market forces. The Hong Kong Park and the areas around Lok Ma Chau/San Tin are consolidated to form the San Tin Technopole to provide a total of 300 hectares of I&T land, contributing to the development of Hong Kong into an international I&T centre. The San Tin Technopole is strategically positioned to be a hub for clustered I&T development. The spatial planning of the San Tin Technopole will align with the development positioning of the Co-operation Zone and fully integrate with the strategy on enhancing Hong Kong's I&T competiveness to pave way for the future development of the Co-operation Zone in a forward-looking manner.