Hong Kong innovation chief in EU to strengthen bilateral relations, cooperation
- Secretary for Innovation Sun Dong says this is the first time in recent years a principal Hong Kong official has met senior EU leaders
- Sun aims to strengthen Hong Kong-EU ties in innovation and technology during four-day trip to Belgium, France
Hong Kong’s innovation chief has highlighted the importance of boosting bilateral relations with the European Union in his meeting with top bloc officials for the first time in years.
Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong is on a four-day visit to Belgium and France aimed at strengthening ties between the city and the EU in innovation and technology.
During his meeting with European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Iliana Ivanova in Brussels, Sun said the current stable social environment had enabled Hong Kong to focus on developing the economy, enhancing people’s livelihood and providing a better business environment for foreign investors.
“This is the first time in recent years that a principal official of the [Hong Kong government] has met with the senior leadership of the European Union,” he said.
“[This] precisely demonstrates the great importance that the Hong Kong government and the EU attach to maintaining and enhancing bilateral relations.”
Sun also spoke of the government’s efforts to turn the city into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre, including the development directions and key strategies promulgated in the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint, which was released in December 2022.