Chief Executive John Lee met Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng at Government House today to exchange views on deepening collaboration in education and scientific research between the Mainland and Hong Kong.

Mr Lee welcomed Mr Huai and his delegation, who are here to attend the Hong Kong and Macau regional contest of the China International College Students’ Innovation Competition, and other education-related activities.

Mr Lee said that the Ministry of Education has provided strong support to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s enhancement of education measures to develop Hong Kong into an international education hub and an international hub for high-calibre talent.

He pointed out that Hong Kong is the only city with five universities in the world’s top 100, and the Hong Kong SAR Government is taking forward a series of initiatives to promote the “Study in Hong Kong” brand.

At the same time, the Hong Kong SAR Government is vigorously advancing Mainland-Hong Kong collaboration in higher education, in order to support the national strategies of “invigorating the country through science and education, strengthening the nation with talent, and driving development through innovation”.

Mr Lee highlighted that the Northern Metropolis is the key engine for the city’s future development, and the Hong Kong SAR Government is advancing the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town.

It encourages local top universities to introduce more innovative, cutting-edge and high-level branded programmes, research collaboration and exchange projects with renowned Mainland and overseas institutions in a flexible and innovative manner, so as to nurture talent and further boost Hong Kong’s global academic research influence.

In scientific research, Mr Lee said that the Hong Kong SAR Government is actively promoting digital education, and the construction of the Hong Kong Park at the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone with enhanced speed and efficiency. 

The Chief Executive welcomed more Mainland higher education institutions and research institutes to set up laboratories or research centres at the Hong Kong Park.

He encouraged such institutions to leverage the park’s unique advantages for exploring more global research collaboration, and jointly strengthening co-operation among the industry, academia and research sectors to contribute to the country’s high-quality development.

Also attending the meeting were Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin, Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong, and Director of the Chief Executive’s Office Carol Yip.