DAB proposes innovation center in HK

Tech hub on Shenzhen boundary will play to HK’s strengths as a connector, the party believes

Hong Kong’s biggest political party on Friday proposed setting up a national-level science and technology innovation center in the city under the Guangdong-Hong KongMacao Greater Bay Area development plan.

The proposal is seen as well-founded since the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) said before the State Council released the Greater Bay Area blueprint that it was interested in setting up such a center in the special administrative region.

The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) said it will submit the proposal to Hong Kong’s top liaison authority with the mainland — the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau. The initiatives are expected to be reflected in the city’s official proposal to the central government later this year.

As Shenzhen has become one of the world’s leading innovation cities, the Greater Bay Area is likely to become the country’s high-tech base, the DAB said. Among bay area cities, Hong Kong has the advanced conditions and resources to be a top technology center. With its cosmopolitan status, Hong Kong could quickly launch original, world-class technology and innovation developments, DAB Vice-Chairman Holden Chow Ho-ding said.

Chow suggested the center be built at the planned Lok Ma Chau Loop Innovation and Technology Park in the New Territories, on the boundary with Shenzhen.

In February, Ye Dongbai, director-general of the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs Office of the MOST, announced the country would “actively promote” Hong Kong as a national-level science and technology innovation center, giving the city an opportunity to play its role as “super-connector”.

His recommendation recognized the impressive performance by Hong Kong research and development organizations and people behind the nation’s science and technology breakthroughs.

In the State Science and Technology Awards 2016, scientists from Hong Kong took nine awards, either working independently or participating in other research groups.

In 2004, both sides agreed to establish the MainlandHong Kong Science and Technology Cooperation Committee — a body promoting science and technology cooperation. Since 2005, 16 State Key Laboratories and six branches of Chinese National Engineering Research Centers have been set up in Hong Kong.

The DAB proposal further suggests the bay area develop a “unified e-payment system” to improve operational efficiency for businesses.

Chow also said Hong Kong should join the GuangdongMacao Traditional Chinese Medicine Technology Industrial Park in Hengqin, Zhuhai, so Hong Kong can bring in more companies researching traditional Chinese medicine.

The DAB has made 55 suggestions on the bay area development plan in the areas of technology, economy and daily life.

Starry Lee Wai-king, chairwoman of the DAB, announced that the party will arrange a meeting with Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Patrick Nip Tak-kuen to submit their proposal and express their concerns.

According to the government, city authorities will submit an official proposal on the development of the Greater Bay Area to the National Development and Reform Commission next month.

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