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Collaboration with Provinces and Municipalities

Through the Guangdong - Hong Kong Technology Cooperation Funding Scheme (TCFS), Hong Kong and Guangdong have been promoting the work in advanced technology and technological transfer with a view to enhancing the productivity and competitiveness of enterprises in the two places since 2004. Shenzhen also joined the Scheme in 2005. For details, please refer to the relevant webpage in the Innovation and Technology Fund website.

Following the Central Government’s announcement on the arrangements of allowing Hong Kong higher education institutions and scientific research institutes to directly apply for those science and technology funding at state level, Shenzhen and Guangdong, in June 2018 and February 2019 respectively, published documents on allowing Hong Kong universities and scientific research institutes to directly apply for “Shenzhen/Hong Kong Innovation Circle” programme and science and technology funding programmes of the Guangdong Province, and to undertake projects approved under these programmes. Thus far, a number of scientific research institutes in Hong Kong have received funds from Guangdong and Shenzhen for conducting research and development (R&D) projects or setting up laboratory.

The HKSAR Government and the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government also signed the “Memorandum of Understanding on Jointly Developing the Lok Ma Chau Loop by Hong Kong and Shenzhen” in 2017 to jointly develop the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park at the 87-hectare Lok Ma Chau Loop, which will be the largest ever innovation and technology platform in Hong Kong. The Central Government also supports the development of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Co-operation Zone (“Co-operation Zone”), which comprises the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park (HSITP) at the Lok Ma Chau Loop and the “Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Zone” (SITZ) at the north side of Shenzhen River and adjacent to the Loop, and will formulate supporting policies to facilitate the flow of talent, capital, goods, information, and so forth. Subsequently the Hong Kong and Shenzhen governments further signed the “Co-operation Arrangement on the Establishment of ‘One Zone, Two Parks’ in the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Co-operation Zone at the Lok Ma Chau Loop” (“Co-operation Arrangement”) (Chinese only) on 6 September 2021 to establish “One Zone, Two Parks” at “One River, Two Banks” under “One Country, Two Systems”. At the same time, in order to attract talent and enterprises to develop in the Co-operation Zone, the governments of both sides have launched joint policy to provide measures conducive to the flow of talent, scientific research resources and business development etc.. The joint policy has been published in the form of annex to the Co-operation Arrangement. The establishment of the HSITP ties in with the technological development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, promoting R&D on innovation and technology and boosting competitiveness of the region.

The Co-operation Arrangement signed by the Hong Kong and Shenzhen governments states that both sides will facilitate Hong Kong-Shenzhen sharing of scientific research facilities, devices and equipment. Currently, Guangdong and Shenzhen have set up online platforms (as set out on the webpage of Useful links) to publish information on shareable major scientific equipment of different education institutions, organisations as well as enterprises. Information on shareable scientific research equipment of higher education institutions and scientific research institutes in Hong Kong is available here (Chinese only).

Apart from the above measures, Hong Kong have signed the following agreements and arrangements with Guangdong and Shenzhen to facilitate co-operation on scientific research and innovation:

Separately, Hong Kong signed the following Memorandums of Understanding with Mainland provinces and municipalities to establish mechanism for exchanges, promote the collaboration and exchanges on innovation and technology between the two places: