​The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (March 21) attended the ceremony to celebrate the topping out of the wet-laboratory enabled Buildings 8 and 9 and the full development of Building 11 for talent accommodation in the Phase 1 development of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (Hetao Co-operation Zone). The Hetao Co-operation Zone is one of the four major co-operation platforms among the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) under the National 14th Five-Year Plan. It enjoys unique advantages of "one country, two systems", "one river, two banks" and "one zone, two parks", with an aim to develop into a world-class innovation and technology (I&T) hub which connects the Mainland and the rest of the world, making it a crucial source of new quality productive forces for the country.
Speaking at the topping out ceremony, Mr Lee remarked that, "The Hong Kong Park is a 'super platform' for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to serve as a 'super connector' and a "super value-adder". We will make good use of Hong Kong's advantages as an international city and an international hub for high-calibre talent with a view to building the Hetao Co-operation Zone into a bridgehead for I&T, and a showcase and incubator for high-end achievements for the country.
"The HKSAR Government will remove barriers and break through the development limitations with a reform mind-set for the development of the Hong Kong Park. We will also actively explore policy innovation, in particular for supporting policies relating to the free flow of personnel, materials, capital and data, so as to facilitate wider harmonisation of rules and mechanisms between the two places with the spirit of innovation and reform."
The Hong Kong Park, with about 87 hectares, will be developed in two phases from west to east. The country attaches great importance to the development of the Hetao Co-operation Zone. The HKSAR Government has long been actively taking forward the construction of the Hong Kong Park. Last year, the HKSAR Government has established the Steering Committee on the Hong Kong-Shenzhen I&T Park in the Loop, chaired by the Chief Executive, to steer and co-ordinate the work of relevant bureaux and departments in developing the Hong Kong Park. The Steering Committee conducted the second meeting yesterday. The Chief Executive has instructed bureaux and departments to expedite the imminent commissioning of the buildings and the future development of the Hong Kong Park with a spirit of innovation and creation to accelerate the work and enhance efficiency.
The HKSAR Government has also promulgated the Development Outline for the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone in November last year. It sets out the key development directions, strategies and targets of the Hong Kong Park, thereby leading the development of the Park through top-level design. The Development Outline also specifies the major tasks of the construction and promotes high-quality I&T development among the GBA through fostering collaborative efforts with the Shenzhen Park.
With the completion of the first two wet-laboratory enabled buildings and a talent accommodation building, the Hong Kong Park will officially enter into its operational phase when the first batch of tenants from life and health technology, artificial intelligence, data science and other pillar industries move in starting from the second half of this year. The HKSAR Government is expediting the remaining development of Hong Kong Park. The construction of another five buildings is in full swing. Furthermore, as announced in the 2025-26 Budget last month, the Government has earmarked $3.7 billion to expedite the provision of infrastructure and public facilities of the Phase 1 development of the Park. The detailed planning of the Phase 2 development of the Park will be completed within this year.
To support the construction of the Hong Kong Park, following the release of about five hectares of land for Batch 1 development last year, the Government will soon transfer the community isolation facilities at the remaining 14 hectares of land for Batch 1 development to other locations and will complete the site formation works this year in order to release the relevant land parcels to the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited (HSITPL). The HSITPL will identify suitable land parcels for the invitation of private development proposals this year with a view to expediting the development by leveraging market forces.
The Acting Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong; the Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry and Chairman of the HSITPL, Mr Eddie Mak; and the Board of Directors of the HSITPL jointly officiated the topping out ceremony.
After the ceremony, Mr Lee visited Building 11 (talent accommodation) of the Hong Kong Park to learn about its facilities, environment, ancillary features, as well as exchanging views with representatives of the I&T enterprises which will settle in the Park.
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