Tan Yifan

ciciTan2011@gmail.com

A DELEGATION from Hetao national sci-tech cooperation platform has expressed a keen interest in broadening its collaboration with universities in Hong Kong and attracting top talent during its two-day visit to the city, which began Tuesday.

Under the theme “Twin-City Cooperation, Sci-Tech Interaction,” the delegation from the Shenzhen Park of Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, visited and held exchanges with the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI), the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU).

Led by Zeng Jianpeng, director-general of the Hetao development agency, the delegation held in-depth discussions with experts and scholars from ASTRI and Hong Kong universities aimed at exploring new possibilities for collaborative development.

Cheng Kwang-ting, vice president of HKUST, said at a sharing session that his school plans to create an upgraded version of the SZ-HK Collaborative Innovation Research Institute. The new institute will focus on areas such as life and health, information and data, materials and science, robotics and autonomous systems, new materials, and new energy. Furthermore, it aims to conduct scientific research, transform achievements, and cultivate talent.

Yang Jinglei, head of the institute, added that by gathering the superior scientific research forces and interdisciplinary teams from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) via his platform in Hetao, they will continue leveraging the collaborative innovation advantages of the two cities. He noted that more Hong Kong research teams have gained an understanding of the real needs of the mainland market and accelerated the real-world applicability of laboratory research results.

At PolyU, university president Teng Jinguang explored potential collaboration opportunities with the delegation and provided suggestions. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of Hong Kong leveraging its talent advantages to provide robust and fundamental research support for the development of the GBA.

Both at HKUST and PolyU, guest speakers and researchers from national key labs shared recent advancements in fields such as optoelectronic technology, smart city and spatial big data analysis, and biomedicine with the delegation.

Cheng highlighted Hong Kong’s key advantages in fundamental and world-class applied research and urged HKUST personnel to seize the opportunity provided by Hetao to make the greatest contribution possible to regional scientific and technological development.

Law Man-kwan, CEO of Coalot Tech Ltd. and a postdoctoral researcher focusing on polymer materials science and engineering, said that his team had chosen Hetao as their new base due to its favorable development opportunities.

He said Hetao has released four “white lists” that allow for the free flow of personnel, scientific research equipment, and funds, which is a key reason his team was drawn there.

Li Huilai, deputy director-general of the Hetao development agency, highlighted the innovative measures and supportive policies implemented within the zone. She emphasized the significance of talent support and reaffirmed Hetao’s commitment to deepening reforms, introducing innovative mechanisms, and cultivating a favorable environment for scientific research personnel and enterprises.

During the visit, Hetao also conducted talent recruitment and promotion activities in Hong Kong. According to the authority, Hetao will host special events in Hong Kong focusing on themes such as park ecology and technology services. The coming “Twin-City Cooperation, Sci-Tech Interaction” event will be held at PolyU.