Seizing the Opportunities of CHTF, Hong Kong Promotes Its Scientific and Technological Innovation Advantages

Published Date: November 14, 2024 Category: News & Events

Reported by Wang Kaihui, Ta Kung Pao and Wen Wei Po

From November 14th to 16th, the 26th China International High-tech Fair (referred to as "CHTF") was held in Shenzhen. The Hong Kong SAR government also seized the opportunity presented by CHTF, a grand event for high-tech exchanges, with the Innovation and Technology Commission of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council bringing a group of cutting-edge scientific and technological innovation enterprises to the "Hong Kong Pavilion" to comprehensively promote Hong Kong's scientific and technological innovation advantages, integrate into the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), and advance the strategic development of the country.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu pointed out that Hong Kong is developing into an international innovation and technology hub, driving the upgrading and transformation of traditional industries and actively nurturing emerging industries. In response, all sectors in Hong Kong are gearing up to fully develop the city's scientific and technological innovation industry. Reporters found that Hong Kong had a stronger presence at this year's CHTF than before, with the "Hong Kong Pavilion", the "Innovation and Entrepreneurship Base for Youth from Hong Kong and Macao", the "Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Institute of Digital Economy", and the "HKU Technology and Entrepreneurship Academy" showcasing Hong Kong's stronger momentum in integrating into the GBA and the new development paradigm of the country.

Zeng Yijing, Director of the Greater Bay Area Service Centre of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, said in the interview that there were three original intentions behind participating in this year's CHTF: Firstly, we aim to leverage this large platform to seek out customers, better serve their products, and expand markets; Secondly,we hope to achieve industrialization and transformation of scientific research achievements from Hong Kong's R&D centers; Thirdly, we intend to promote Hong Kong's leading technology innovation ecosystem and invite technology enterprises and international talents from both home and abroad to join the innovative hub in Hong Kong.

Zeng Yijing said, "They can become international partners for our technology enterprises in the GBA." He pointed out that directly replicating technology products overseas is not applicable, especially when artificial intelligence involves data, which must comply with local regulatory requirements and audience habits. Zeng Yijing expressed that we should make good use of the advantages of "one country, two systems". Mainland scientific and technological innovation enterprises can expand overseas markets and connect with various scientific research achievements through the Hong Kong platform. "Mainland enterprises can cooperate with technology enterprises or R&D institutions in Hong Kong to first create a Hong Kong version, and then replicate it overseas through the Hong Kong version to become an international version, which is more feasible and welcome."

Qianhai, as a bridgehead for the integrated development of Shenzhen and Hong Kong, has taken many effective measures to promote the integrated development of the GBA's technology ecosystem. The HKU Technology and Entrepreneurship Academy (HKU TEA) participated in CHTF for the first time just two months after its establishment to promote innovative products. The head of the TEA said that the University of Hong Kong has strong innovative capabilities, supporting the commercialization of students' scientific research achievements, promoting cross-border innovation and resource integration, and driving technological innovation and development in the GBA and the whole country.

At the CHTF exhibition area, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Innovation and Entrepreneurship Incubation Base actively promoted the products of Hong Kong and Macao entrepreneurs, with scientific and technological products spanning medical care, drones, AI, and more. The base has currently incubated over 5,700 Hong Kong and Macao projects, employed nearly 8,000 Hong Kong and Macao youth, and has an annual output value of incubated projects exceeding RMB 7 billion.

Source: Ta Kung Pao and Wen Wei Po