Mainland and Hong Kong Strengthen Science and Technology Cooperation at 18th Committee Meeting in Xi'an

2024-25 workplan of Mainland/Hong Kong Science and Technology Co-operation Committee

The 18th meeting of the Mainland/Hong Kong Science and Technology Co-operation Committee was held in Xi’an on November 12. The meeting was co-chaired by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, and Vice Minister of Science and Technology Ms Lin Xin.

The meeting took note of the Committee's work report since the 17th meeting, and reviewed and approved the Committee's 2024-25 workplan. The Committee agreed to strengthen co-operation in the following areas:

(i) Strengthen policy co-ordination

Support the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in promoting the development of Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre at full speed in accordance with the directions and strategies set out in the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint, including accelerating the development of the Hong Kong Park in the Loop, as well as promoting new industrialisation and the flow of scientific research data.

(ii) Promote the opening up of national-level science and technology programmes to Hong Kong

Promote the opening of national science and technology (S&T) programmes to Hong Kong in an orderly manner, support Hong Kong scientists in participating in major national scientific research missions, and continue to increase support for young Hong Kong scientists.

(iii) Conduct science and research collaboration projects between the two places

Continue to implement the Mainland-Hong Kong Joint Funding Scheme, and the 2025 Hong Kong Joint Research Scheme between the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Research Grants Council.

(iv) Support more Hong Kong experts joining national science and technology expert databases and associations

Support more Hong Kong experts joining national science and technology expert databases and national science and technology award expert databases. Encourage more S&T professionals from Hong Kong to join the national societies of the China Association for Science and Technology, and participate in their governance and operations.

(v) Deepen the exchanges of S&T professionals in the two places

Support Hong Kong in organising an S&T forum and exhibitions, encourage international S&T institutions and organisations to set up in Hong Kong, increase efforts in attracting top scientific research talent from around the world, and encourage young scientists from Hong Kong and the Mainland to deepen exchanges and co-operation.

(vi) Strengthen the construction of Mainland and Hong Kong S&T co-operation platform and bases

Conclude the reorganisation exercise of the State Key Laboratories in Hong Kong with a view to incorporating them into the national mechanism. Continue to deepen collaboration among the technology and industrial parks between the two places and accelerate the establishment of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratories.

(vii) Promote the I&T and regional technological development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area

Accelerate the cross-boundary flow of innovation elements in the Greater Bay Area, support the development of the Northern Metropolis in Hong Kong and continue to take forward the development of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone.

A spokesman of the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) said, "The workplan will further deepen the I&T collaboration between the Mainland and Hong Kong, accelerate the development of Hong Kong into an international I&T centre, and facilitate its better integration into national development. The Commission, relevant departments of the HKSAR Government, universities, I&T parks and research and development institutes will continue to deepen their I&T collaboration and exchanges with the Mainland."

The Mainland/Hong Kong Science and Technology Co-operation Committee is tasked with organising and co-ordinating technological exchanges and co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong. The liaison offices of the Committee are set up at the China Science and Technology Exchange Center of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the ITC of the HKSAR Government.

Samples from Mai Po Nature Reserve test positive for H5N1 virus

Subsequent to the announcement last week that a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H5N1 subtype) was detected in an environmental sample from the Mai Po Nature Reserve (MPNR), the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) was notified by the University of Hong Kong (HKU) yesterday (November 13) that a sample from a dead wild bird and another environmental sample from the MPNR also tested positive for H5N1 subtype highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, a spokesperson for the AFCD said today (November 14).

In collaboration with the AFCD, a research team of the School of Public Health, HKU, collects samples from the MPNR regularly for avian influenza surveillance. A sample from a Eurasian wigeon and an additional environmental sample collected on November 6 have been confirmed to be positive for H5N1 virus.

An AFCD spokesman said the World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong, the managing organisation of the MPNR, has stepped up cleaning and disinfection of tourist facilities, including bird hides and a floating boardwalk. A disinfectant carpet has been placed at the entrance of the MPNR for visitors to disinfect the soles of their shoes. In addition, the AFCD is closely monitoring the situation of birds in the MPNR and has put up notices to remind visitors to pay attention to personal hygiene.

There are no chicken farms within three kilometres of where the sample has been collected. The AFCD has strengthened avian influenza surveillance and is closely monitoring the situation of local poultry farms and wholesale markets. Poultry farmers, pet bird shop owners, and licence holders of bird exhibitions are reminded from time to time to ensure that proper precautions against avian influenza are implemented.

"People should avoid contact with wild birds and live poultry as well as their droppings. They should clean their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them. The public can call 1823 for the AFCD's follow-up if they come across birds suspected to be sick or dead, including the carcasses of wild birds and poultry," the spokesman said.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will continue to be vigilant over live poultry stalls. It will also remind stall operators to maintain good hygiene.

The Department of Health will keep up with its health education to remind members of the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent avian influenza.

The AFCD, the FEHD, the Customs and Excise Department and the Police will strive to deter the illegal import of poultry and birds into Hong Kong to minimise the risk of avian influenza outbreaks caused by imported poultry and birds that have not gone through inspection and quarantine.

All relevant government departments will continue to be highly vigilant and strictly enforce preventive measures against avian influenza. Health advice about preventing avian influenza is available on the AFCD website at www.afcd.gov.hk/english/quarantine/qua_live/H5N1_healthadvice.html.