Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Professor Sun Dong today called on the central ministries in Beijing and visited local enterprises that are related to innovation and technology (I&T).

Prof Sun called on Executive Deputy Director of the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Xu Qifang and briefed him on the latest development of Hong Kong’s I&T and new industrialisation.

He also gave Mr Xu a briefing on the progress of the Innovation, Technology & Industry Bureau’s key work areas and future work plans.

Additionally, the I&T chief visited the State-owned Assets Supervision & Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC) and met SASAC Chairman Zhang Yuzhuo, and Vice-Chairman Li Zhen as well as the key officials at its various departments.

Prof Sun introduced Hong Kong’s I&T overall development plan, and the latest progress of the setting up of the Innovation & Technology Industry-Oriented Fund (ITIF) by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

Both sides had an in-depth discussion on matters including stepping up efforts to promote the participation of state-owned enterprises in developing Hong Kong into an international I&T centre, leveraging the city’s international advantages, and attracting talent to support the building of an international hub for high-calibre talent.

At a meeting with the key officials at the National Development & Reform Commission’s Department of Foreign Capital & Overseas Investment, Prof Sun exchanged views on how Mainland institutions can participate in the ITIF.

This was followed by Prof Sun’s visit to the Tsinghua Unigroup, where he toured the group’s exhibition centre and received a briefing on its achievements in relevant semiconductor chip technology and industry development.

While there, he held discussions with the group’s management to understand the full industry chain layout of this smart technology industry group in semiconductor chips, information and communication technologies, finance, education, cloud services and digital solutions.

Furthermore, Prof Sun met the management of an enterprise focusing on technologies including electron-beam inspection to understand the latest technological developments in semiconductor testing equipment as well as its future industry plan.

On Monday, Prof Sun visited the Ministry of Industry & Information Technology (MIIT) and held a working meeting with Vice Minister of Industry & Information Technology Xiong Jijun and various key officials of the technology, international and electronics departments.

They discussed the latest progress in implementing various initiatives since the signing of the “Co-operation Agreement on the Development of New Quality Productive Forces & the Promotion of New Industrialisation” between the Hong Kong SAR Government and the MIIT in September last year.

There were also discussions on the development of the manufacturing innovation centre.     

On the same day, Prof Sun visited the State Development & Investment Group Co and met the group’s Party Secretary and Chairman Fu Gangfeng.

Prof Sun learnt about the group’s achievements in promoting technology innovation, leading the upgrade of the industry, and serving national strategies as a state-owned capital investment company.     

For tomorrow’s agenda, in addition to visiting China Chengtong Holdings Group, Prof Sun will meet representatives from several technology enterprises in Zhongguancun before concluding his Beijing trip and returning to Hong Kong in the afternoon.