Hong Kong urged to ramp up research and innovation to boost tech hub goals
Liaison office chief Zhou Ji calls on city to use international ties to align with national development and bolster China’s power on global stage
Hong Kong’s state key laboratories must ramp up research and innovation to help develop the city into a tech hub through its international connections while aligning with the national strategy to boost China’s power on the global stage, top local and Beijing officials have said.
China’s tech minister attended a ceremony in Hong Kong on Monday to present plaques to the directors of the facilities, as he urged the city to support national development through innovation.
“I hope the state key laboratories in Hong Kong will further bolster their mission positioning [and] focus on scientific challenges arising from national demands ... to seize the commanding heights in the global scientific and technological competition,” said Yin Hejun, the Chinese minister of science and technology.
Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong also said the laboratories could help Hong Kong achieve national goals.
“We do wish that these new state key laboratories can better align with our national development plan, and better serve our national needs,” Sun said.
He added that the city had initiated the establishment of the facilities in 2023 following Beijing’s optimisation and restructuring exercise in 2022.