The Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation & Technology Park Limited (HSITPL) today signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with some 60 partners from nine economies.

Chief Executive John Lee, Acting Financial Secretary Michael Wong and Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong attended the partnership launch ceremony and witnessed the signing which marks a significant milestone of the park entering the operational phase.

Mr Lee said with its strategic location, the park will form part of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone to become a key area of innovation and technology (I&T) development that transcends the city's boundary with the Mainland.

“With the park fast approaching the operational phase, it will integrate with and help drive our national development. Hong Kong will continue to join hands with Shenzhen to work out various innovative and cross-boundary facilitation measures for the benefit of our partners in the park and beyond.”

The Chief Executive added that under the unique “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong enjoys the rule of law, a free and enterprising business environment, world-class infrastructure, a robust financial system as well as established research and development capabilities with its world-renowned institutions, and has all it takes to create new quality productive forces.

Prof Sun supplemented that among the I&T companies which will be signing MOUs on their partnership with the HSITPL today, about a quarter of them are from overseas, and 24 companies are new to set foot or expand business in Hong Kong.

“The diverse portfolio of partnership enterprises highlights Hong Kong's unique advantage as an international city, casting a big vote of confidence in the development of the park as well as the I&T industry in Hong Kong.”

He also said to realise the goal of becoming an international I&T centre, fostering collaborative efforts among the Government, industry, academic, research and investment sectors is of utmost importance, adding that today's ceremony signifies the collective efforts towards achieving the two places' shared vision.