Beijing lays down law on tech park

Beijing yesterday laid out a development blueprint for the Shenzhen-Hong Kong science and technology innovation cooperation zone in Hetao aimed at establishing an effective working mechanism by 2025.

In the plan issued by the State Council, Beijing wants the Shenzhen park to be an active collaboration with Hong Kong that will build the zone into an international technology and innovation center and become "an important engine for the high-quality development of the Greater Bay Area."

An efficient mechanism for cooperation should be in place by 2025, with reconstruction of Huanggang Port and complete connecting cross-border facilities completed.

The park - to cover 300 hectares on the Shenzhen side - should also be running well and have smooth people exchanges by then.

Shenzhen should also build a scientific research management system, put up a batch of Hong Kong and international research centers and achieve important results through the collaboration by 2025.

By 2035, a pattern of collaboration should be fully formed and the degree of internationalization of the innovation zone should be in a leading position in the world.

"[The zone] should cultivate top innovative and top technology research centers and become a world-class research hub, strongly support the construction of Greater Bay Area science and technology center," it said.

The plan also said the park should push for breakthroughs in information technology, innovative applications of biomedical technology, AI and digital economy.

The park should also enhance international exchanges and build an international innovative talent port.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the innovation cooperation zone, which will include another park of 87 hectares on the Hong Kong side, is one of the major cooperation platforms in the GBA area.

"The promulgation of the development plan for Shenzhen park injects new momentum to and sets a new stage for collaboration on I&T development," Lee said.

"We will strive to implement measures to promote a cross-boundary flow of various innovation elements. This will enable the cooperation zone to serve as the bridgehead for intensive I&T cooperation between the two places, and allow Hong Kong to give full play to its unique advantage of 'enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world.' This, in turn, can support the development of the GBA international I&T center."

Lee said the SAR and Shenzhen have made good progress in developing the zone over the past few years.

Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong said the plan for the Hong Kong park phase one has been completed, with three buildings to be completed by the end of next year. Phase one will include zones focusing on life science, research, AI and data science.