Policy Address
Land/Infrastructure for I&T
Science Park
55. Next year marks the 20th anniversary of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC), the flagship I&T institution in Hong Kong. The Science Park is now home to about 900 technology enterprises and start-ups in areas such as artificial intelligence, life and health, environmental technology, and four unicorns have been incubated therein so far. In the past three years, its tenants/incubatees have raised funds amounting to $33 billion. It is estimated that for every $1 invested by the HKSTPC, an external investment of $13 would be attracted.
56. The Science Park expansion is being carried out in full swing so that more space can be provided for technology enterprises and start-ups. To prepare for future needs, I propose that the Government should immediately explore expanding the Science Park’s capacity. In this regard, the Government will revive the Ma Liu Shui reclamation project which, together with the land to be vacated by the relocation of the Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works to caverns, will provide a total of 88 hectares of new land. We propose that the newly provided land should be mainly for I&T development rather than the originally suggested residential use, so as to strengthen the development of the Eastern Corridor with I&T as a major economic function. We agree that opportunity should be taken to improve the public transport service connection of Pak Shek Kok and the Science Park. The Government will invite the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) to study the construction of a new Science Park/Pak Shek Kok Station of the East Rail Line at the current site of The Hong Kong Education University (EdUHK) Sports Centre at Pak Shek Kok, and its reprovisioning at a site near EdUHK’s main campus in line with the university’s earlier request to facilitate the use by its students. The Government will also make the best use of the development potential of the station site and its adjoining land to provide more housing and parking spaces, shops and public facilities for local residents. I have asked the DEVB, the THB and the Education Bureau (EDB) to work in collaboration with the MTRCL and EdUHK to press ahead with the project.
