Hong Kong and Shenzhen Strengthen Ties at 11th Innovation and Technology Park Meeting

11th meeting of Joint Task Force on Development of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park in the Loop held

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, and Vice Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government Mr Luo Huanghao co-chaired the 11th meeting of the Joint Task Force on the Development of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park in the Loop in Shenzhen today (August 30).

Professor Sun said at the meeting that the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (Co-operation Zone), which consists of the Hong Kong Park and the Shenzhen Park, is one of the major co-operation platforms among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao under the 14th Five-Year Plan. The Hong Kong Park in the Loop (Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park) will be developed in two phases from west to east. With the completion of the planning stage, the first phase has a total floor area of up to 1 million square metres and contains various clusters to establish a diverse innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem with different industry themes, including life and health technology, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and industry, academic and research sectors. The first three buildings in the first batch will be completed gradually from the end of this year. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will continue to support the construction of the Hong Kong Park in the Loop, as well as the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited's (HSITPL) efforts in taking forward the relevant leasing and investment promotion work, with a view to promoting jointly with Shenzhen the unique advantages of "one zone, two parks" under the "one country, two systems" principle in the Co-operation Zone.

"The HSITPL held the Partnership Launching Ceremony and signed Memoranda of Understanding with some 60 partners from nine economies in April this year. With its strategic location, the Hong Kong Park in the Loop will become a key area of I&T development with the Mainland, which will help drive Hong Kong’s integration into national development. Hong Kong will continue to join hands with Shenzhen to work out various innovative and cross-boundary facilitation measures for the benefit of our partners in the Hong Kong Park in the Loop and the local I&T industry," said Professor Sun.

Both sides were briefed on the progress of I&T co-operation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, and construction of the HSITP from the HSITPL, the progress of the supporting infrastructure in the Loop from the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD), as well as the latest developments of the Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Zone from the Development Authority of Shenzhen Park of the Cooperation Zone of Shenzhen Municipality. In addition, both sides exchanged views on the future development of the Co-operation Zone, as well as explored the construction of a cross-boundary footbridge.

Other officials from the Hong Kong side attending the meeting today included the Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Mr Eddie Mak, and representatives from the Development Bureau; the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau; the Security Bureau; the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau; the Innovation and Technology Commission; the CEDD; the Immigration Department and the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department. Officials from Shenzhen Municipality included representatives of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office; the Development and Reform Commission; the Education Bureau; the Science, Technology and Innovation Bureau; the Industry and Information Technology Bureau; the Justice Bureau; the Planning and Natural Resources Bureau; the Development Authority of Shenzhen Park of the Cooperation Zone of Shenzhen Municipality; and the People's Government of Futian District, as well as the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone Development Ltd.

11th meeting of Joint Task Force on Development of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park in the Loop held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

11th meeting of Joint Task Force on Development of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park in the Loop held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Three property owners fined over $31,000 in total for failing to comply with fire safety improvement directions

Three property owners were convicted and fined over $31,000 in total at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts on March 27 for failing to comply with fire safety improvement directions issued under the Fire Safety (Commercial Premises) Ordinance (FS(CP)O) (Cap. 502).

The Buildings Department (BD) issued fire safety improvement directions under section 5(1A) of the FS(CP)O to the property owner of a premises in a 54-year-old specified commercial building at Sun Chun Street, Tai Hang, and the property owners of two premises in a 51-year-old specified commercial building at Eastern Street, Sai Ying Pun, requiring them to comply with certain fire safety construction requirements. These include reinstatement of the protected lobby to the escape staircase, removal of metal gates that open to the escape staircase, sealing up the door opening formed at the enclosure wall of the escape staircase, providing a fire door for separation of the lavatory and the protected lobby, and sealing up the window opening on the external wall.

Failing to comply with the statutory directions, the three owners were prosecuted by the BD and were convicted by the court and fined $10,910, $10,150 and $10,020 respectively.

"According to the FS(CP)O, failing to comply with a statutory direction issued under the ordinance without reasonable excuse is a serious offence. The BD may instigate prosecution proceedings against the owner of the specified commercial building under the ordinance", a spokesman for the BD said today (April 22).

Pursuant to section 5(7)(b) of the FS(CP)O, any person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a statutory direction, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine at level 4 ($25,000 at present) and to a further fine of $2,500 for each day of non-compliance. Upon conviction, an application may also be made to the court for a Fire Safety Improvement Compliance Order against the owner under section 6(1) of the FS(CP)O directing the owner to comply with the requirements of the direction.