Brussels ETO promotes innovation and technology opportunities to Web Summit 2024 participants
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) promoted opportunities in Hong Kong for innovation and technology (I&T) start-ups and companies that are attending the Web Summit Lisbon 2024 in Portugal.
In collaboration with Invest Hong Kong and the Portugal-Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Brussels ETO hosted a networking reception on November 12 (Lisbon time) for about 100 participants of the Web Summit. At the reception, Brussels ETO Assistant Representative Mr Paul Leung outlined Hong Kong's distinctive advantages under the "one country, two systems" principle and in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Mr Leung highlighted the commitment of the Government in strengthening the role of Hong Kong as an international I&T centre and encouraged I&T companies to set up their operations in Hong Kong. He invited participants to come and see firsthand how Hong Kong is the place for I&T and why Hong Kong is an ideal place for them to grow their business, innovations and technology.
The Web Summit is a major global technology conference and is being held this year from November 11 to 14 (Lisbon time). It is attended by over 70 000 international participants in the field of technology.
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.
