Shenzhen, HK links offer young innovators chances, Lam says
The government will give young people more opportunities to participate in the development of innovative technology and creative industries, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuetngor said on Thursday.
Lam made the remarks during a one-day visit to Shenzhen, where she went to a design exhibition in the Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation zone in Qianhai and visited technology enterprises in the city.
Innovative technology and creative industries are two areas the special administrative region government hopes to strongly develop in coming years, Lam said.
The government attaches great importance to young people’s participation in the process and will strive to offer more opportunities and support to them, she said.
Hong Kong and Shenzhen have strong potential for cooperation in the design industry; the two could become outstanding design cities in Asia, Lam said.
Shenzhen is the first city in China to earn the City of Design title from UNESCO while Hong Kong, where Chinese and Western cultures converge, owns international vision and design talents, she said.
Hong Kong and Shenzhen’s city governments last year signed an agreement to promote cooperation on creative industries. Lam is confident the two cities can become Asia’s outstanding design centers with the efforts from governments and industries.
“I am confident that Hong Kong-Shenzhen cooperation could reach a higher level,” she said.
Lam also noted that development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is an excellent opportunity, and that relations between Hong Kong and Shenzhen had been the closest among other cities. The two cities are also complementary in many areas, she said.
By integrating into the Belt and Road Initiative, the Greater Bay Area will bring great opportunities to Hong Kong, Lam said.
Shenzhen’s Party secretary Wang Weizhong proposed to expand the Qianhai cooperation zone so more Hong Kong innovative industries could come to Shenzhen.
Since officially taking office last month, Lam has already visited a number of mainland cities — including Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Tianjin — with the aim of strengthening cooperation with the mainland.
During her stay in Shenzhen, Lam also visited Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub and talked to young entrepreneurs there.
I am confident that Hong Kong-Shenzhen cooperation could reach a higher level.” Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor