The Committee on Education, Technology & Talents (CETT), led by Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, met stakeholders in the innovation and technology (I&T) sector today to discuss promoting the integrated development of education, technology and talent.

At the meeting, Mr Chan introduced the CETT’s work plan to representatives from I&T parks, I&T enterprises and State Key Laboratories.

He told them that the CETT, building on the “eight centres” concept, is dedicated to cultivating and attracting talent, and aims to leverage talent chains, innovation chains, industrial chains and capital chains to drive technological and industrial innovation, with a view to advancing high-quality development and accelerating Chinese modernisation.

On the theme of attracting high-quality I&T talent, he said the CETT will lead the I&T sector in revamping its positioning and planning. Specifically, the committee will enhance the Technology Talent Admission Scheme, and introduce arrangements under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme to bring sought-after talent to Hong Kong.

Attendees were also briefed on the Government’s establishment of a new I&T system that takes the city’s “three major I&T parks and five key research and development institutes” as its framework, and on various other initiatives to enhance the I&T ecosystem and enlarge the local I&T talent pool.

Mr Chan said: “The Government will continue to take forward the development under the principle of ‘promoting technology with talent, leading industries with technology, and attracting talent with industries’.

“The Government will also grasp the opportunities arising as the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone enters its operational phase soon and continue to expedite the development of I&T industries, to provide development opportunities for local I&T talent as well as those coming to Hong Kong.”

He added that the Government will make good use of existing talent admission schemes to promote Hong Kong as a focal point for international high-calibre talent, contributing to the I&T development of both Hong Kong and the country at large.

Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin and Acting Secretary for Labour & Welfare Ho Kai-ming also attended today’s meeting. Prof Sun and Mr Ho briefed the stakeholders on the Government’s ongoing efforts and measures to attract I&T talent.

I&T stakeholders at the meeting expressed support for the committee’s work and said they will work with the Government to leverage industry resources in attracting global talent.