Policy Address
Shenzhen/Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Co-operation Zone
54. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone. Hong Kong and Shenzhen, two neighbouring cities, share a unique relationship which is as good as ever after so many years. From the “front shop, back plant” model in the early days of our country’s reform and opening up, to the co-operation between two strong players in the area of I&T today, the relationship between Hong Kong and Shenzhen is always robust and thriving. The Central Government strongly supports the co-operation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen in developing an international I&T hub in the GBA, and has agreed to their joint development of the Shenzhen/Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Co-operation Zone (SITZ), which comprises the Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Zone and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park (HSITP) at the Lok Ma Chau Loop, with a view to establishing “one zone, two parks” at “one river, two banks” under the auspices of “One Country, Two Systems”. During my visit to Shenzhen, I have agreed with the leaders of the Shenzhen municipality that we should adopt the spirit of innovative thinking, pushing new limits and sharing resources in taking forward the related work. The governments of the two cities are exploring the feasibility of allowing the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC) to lease and manage certain areas of the Innovation and Technology Zone in Futian, Shenzhen, so that institutes and enterprises which are interested in starting their business in the GBA can establish a presence in the SITZ before the completion of the first batch of buildings in HSITP. Such cooperation is imperative because on the road of I&T, one will never go too fast and should strive to go faster. We must seize the opportunity to foster the development of the ecological chain of the I&T industry in Hong Kong and Shenzhen so as to offer tremendous employment and start-up business opportunities for the young people of Hong Kong.
