Policy Address
Promoting Research and Development
62. Hong Kong has a solid foundation to develop into a global research collaboration hub. As a flagship project, the InnoHK research clusters have already attracted world-class universities and research institutes to collaborate with local universities in setting up 28 research laboratories. During my recent visits to some of these laboratories, I was impressed by the passion and perseverance of the research teams in pursuing technological breakthroughs and innovative business opportunities. I strongly believe that these laboratories and talents can help Hong Kong scale new heights in I&T development and further consolidate our position as a hub for global research collaboration.
63. Looking ahead, with the emphasis of the 14th Five-Year Plan on frontier fields such as life and health disciplines, I believe that Hong Kong should better leverage its strengths in life and health sciences to meet the country’s needs. We have a solid foundation in research and a good number of world-renowned experts, whose achievements have been widely acclaimed. Our clinical trial centres are recognised by the National Medical Products Administration, and their data which meet the relevant clinical trial standards are also widely recognised by relevant bodies in the United States and the European Union. I now propose the setting up of an InnoLife Healthtech Hub in the HSITP in the Loop, with the 16 life and health-related laboratories in the InnoHK research clusters and the 8 State Key Laboratories in life and health disciplines as the basis, to focus on related research work. I know that quite a number of start-ups and large enterprises in life and health disciplines are interested in gaining a foothold in Hong Kong, so as to leverage our strengths in this area and the market potential of the GBA. The San Tin Technopole will be able to provide land for the relevant research and advanced manufacturing industries.
64. Clinical data, clinical trials and drug registration are some of the key areas essential to the development of life and health technology. To this end, I have asked the Food and Health Bureau (FHB), the Hospital Authority (HA) and the Department of Health (DH) to conduct a comprehensive review of the current practices.
