Shenzhen Special Zone Daily:

The plan for the Shezhen park of the HTCZ explicitly states that the Shenzhen park should collaborate with Hong Kong to promote international technological innovation and the construction of an internationally competitive base for industrial pilot-scale tests and transformation. What measures has MOST taken in promoting collaborative technological innovation with Hong Kong, and what achievements has it made? Thank you.

Lin Xin:

Thank you for the question, and for your interest in the field of science and technology. Hong Kong possesses strong scientific and technological capabilities, which serve as a foundation for its prosperous development and are an essential component of the national strategic technological force. MOST attaches great importance to scientific and technological cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong. Since 2004, the two sides have established the Science and Technology Co-operation Committee mechanism to conduct joint research and consultations. A series of practical measures have been adopted in terms of scientific and technological policy convergence and scientific and technological projects.

First, we have supported the integration of Hong Kong's scientific and technological strength into the national innovation system. 23 fundamental and frontier research projects under the National Key R&D Program and the Excellent Young Scientists Fund of the National Natural Science Foundation are available to Hong Kong. Support has been provided to Hong Kong in establishing several national key laboratories in disciplines and fields where it has strengths. Additionally, a number of scientific and technological cooperation platforms have been planned in key places such as Qianhai, Hetao and Xili Lake, to reinforce cooperation among industries, universities, and research institutes between Hong Kong and the mainland.

Second, we have promoted the introduction of policies to facilitate scientific and technological cooperation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Central government funding for scientific and technological research has been transited to support technological development in Hong Kong. Pilot programs have been implemented to facilitate the transit of human genetic resources to Hong Kong for the purposes of scientific research. Efforts have been made to facilitate the sharing of over 130,000 large-scale scientific research instruments and equipment with Hong Kong.

Third, we have carried out personnel exchanges between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong in the field of science and technology. Support has been provided for scientists in Hong Kong to participate in national science and technology policies, planning, consultations and project reviews. Currently, more than 1,000 scientific experts from Hong Kong have been included in relevant expert databases. Activities such as the Mainland Exchange Program of Hong Kong Youth Entrepreneurship have also been organized, providing a platform for outstanding scientific and technological personnel from Hong Kong to make innovations and start their own businesses.

Moving forward and seizing the plan's release as an opportunity, the MOST will implement the plan and arrangements and beef up efforts to support the cooperation zone to boost overall regional sci-tech innovation. Focusing on the country's needs and giving full play to the advantages of Hong Kong and Shenzhen, the ministry will support them to develop in-depth cooperation in sci-tech projects, talent cultivation, startup incubation, sci-tech finance, international technology transfer, and other aspects. We will introduce major sci-tech projects and achievements to the zone and encourage high-level scientific research institutions and their members to work there. We will support scientific research in fundamental and cutting-edge areas, as well as in major industries, and work to create a cradle of new technologies that are original, innovative, and significant. We will spearhead the implementation of sci-tech policies and act on preferential policies issued by the central government for Hong Kong. We will eliminate bottlenecks and impediments that restrict the flow of sci-tech factors, ensuring that our guidelines are aligned with both Hong Kong's standards and globally advanced scientific research rules to create a policy environment friendly to sci-tech innovation. We will construct a more open innovation system, focus on first-class global sci-tech resources, pool top global sci-tech talent, create a more global-oriented research environment, and strive to build a world hub for sci-tech innovation. With these efforts, we will provide vigorous sci-tech support for the high-quality development of Shenzhen and Hong Kong, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao GBA, and our country.

Thank you.