HK Park in border-bridging I&T hub to launch in phases

Stacy Shi

The first batch of three buildings in phase 1 of Hong Kong Park in the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone will commence operation in phases at the end of the year, according to a development outline revealed by the government.

Phase 2 is still in the planning stages.

Situated in the loop in the northern part of Hong Kong, the 87-hectare park will be developed in two phases from west to east, with phase 1 to rise in three batches.

Some one million square meters of phase 1 will be divided into functional areas - "Life and Health Technology," "Artificial Intelligence and Data Science" and "New Technology and Advanced Manufacturing."

Hong Kong is also exploring the construction of cross-boundary footbridges across the Shenzhen River with the Shenzhen government and implementing contactless clearance to directly connect the Shenzhen and Hong Kong parks to facilitate frequent daily cross-boundary travel and smooth exchanges among tech personnel.

Speaking to the media yesterday, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong said not all personnel can cross the border via the footbridges as preregistration will be required.

"Since entering Hong Kong through the park is the same as crossing the border at other control points, they can go to any place thereafter without any limitations," Sun said.

But the period of stay of mainland personnel must comply with Hong Kong laws and regulations, he added.

Construction details of the footbridges, including locations and timeline, will be discussed with the Shenzhen government and announced in due course.

As for cross-boundary data flow, Sun said the central government has responded it would adopt specific arrangements to allow data to only be transferred within the park on a "point-to-point" basis.

For sensitive data such as personal information, the government plans to refer to the scheme currently applied in the Greater Bay Area, and specific measures will be introduced later to ensure that transmission complies with mainland requirements.

Sun said authorities are actively exploring policy innovation to enable the use of unmanned low-altitude aerial vehicles and the cross-boundary movement of materials between the two parks.

"We have submitted a proposal to Shenzhen authorities and received positive responses," he added.

The Academy of Sciences of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences welcomed the outline, saying it provides a clear direction, strategy and objectives for the development of the park.

Academy of Sciences of Hong Kong president Dennis Lo Yuk-ming believes the development objectives set out in the outline will help strengthen the technological integration between Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area to consolidate the city's edge in basic scientific research and provide a better ground for the development of its scientific research environment.

stacy.shi@singtaonewscorp.com