Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area
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More impetus, more opportunities
Technology professionals, both local and overseas, are able to excel in their talents and passions in Hong Kong and Mainland China, taking advantage of the keen co-operations and forward-thinking development plans enforced in the two areas.
The top priority in this arena includes enhancing and expanding co-operations with other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), and most important of all, is the development of the Shenzhen/Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Co-operation Zone (SITZ). This is a giant “one zone, two parks” development plan which will comprise the Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Zone and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park (HSITP) at the Lok Ma Chau Loop.
Technology synergy
Strategically structured as a vibrant city cluster, the GBA comprises 11 cities of Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Zhaoqing, each having its own characteristics and strengths to complement each other. For example, Dongguan, Zhuhai and Foshan are strong in advanced manufacturing and high-end production; Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Guangzhou have all the talent, capital and skill sets to facilitate the establishment of a remarkable I&T bay area where a tech dream can come true.
The best of both worlds
The Mainland has a strong capability of commercialization of research results and advanced manufacturing. It also has a massive market, with the GBA alone representing a collective economic force of almost 72 million people and a GDP of more than US$1.6 trillion.
Hong Kong has an international business environment, strong strengths in scientific research, a robust rule of law and intellectual property rights protection system, and some world-renowned universities and research centres, including 16 State Key Laboratories in Hong Kong and six Hong Kong Branches of Chinese National Engineering Research Centres.
Co-operations between the two areas have been strong and targeted. For example, the Hong Kong/Guangdong Expert Group on Co-operation in Informatisation was set up to strengthen co-operation in promoting the development and adoption of cloud computing, big data, Internet of Things, smart city and other technologies, and to explore the formulation of related technology standards applicable to the two places.
In 2018, the Arrangement on Enhancing I&T Cooperation was signed by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the HKSAR Government to further enhance I&T cooperation and exchanges between the Mainland and Hong Kong.
Furthermore, the governments of the Mainland of the HKSAR are eager to share resources, funding and workforce for the benefit of the I&T sectors in both areas. The policies are comprehensive which allow university applications for exporting human genetic resources from the Mainland to Hong Kong; facilitate cross-boundary remittance of research funding that permits Hong Kong institutions to use the Mainland funding in Hong Kong; and encourage Hong Kong’s I&T talent, under different incentive schemes, to work in the GBA of the Mainland.