HKSAR Government and CAST sign co-operation framework agreement (with photos)

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and the President of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), Mr Wan Gang, witnessed today (December 3) the signing of the Co-operation Framework Agreement on Supporting Hong Kong in Becoming an International Hub for High-calibre Talents and Jointly Serving High-level Self-reliance in Science and Technology between CAST and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government.

     The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, and the Director of the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Exchange Office of CAST, Ms Luo Hui, represented the HKSAR Government and CAST respectively to sign the Agreement. The Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Ms Lillian Cheong, and the Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Mr Ivan Lee, were also present at the signing ceremony.

     Mr Lee expressed his gratitude to CAST for its efforts in promoting people-to-people exchanges in science and technology between the Mainland and Hong Kong over the years. He said, "The Agreement signed today helps strengthen the co-operation between the two places in various areas, such as strengthening exchanges between scientific research and academic organisations, nurturing scientific and technological talent, promoting popular science, and facilitating technological integration and development in the Greater Bay Area."

     He added that the HKSAR Government would continue to play well Hong Kong's important role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder", and deepen co-operation with CAST with a view to building Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre and an international hub for high-calibre talent, thereby serving the country's realisation of high-level self-reliance in science and technology.

     Mr Lee, accompanied by Professor Sun, met with Mr Wan before the ceremony. Professor Sun also met with Mr Wan and representatives of CAST this afternoon to exchange views on the latest developments and opportunities for I&T co-operation between the two places.

     In addition, Mr Wan and the CAST delegation visited the Hong Kong Science Park this morning to understand its work in promoting I&T development in Hong Kong. The delegation then visited two InnoHK laboratories in the park, and was briefed by representatives of the laboratories on their research and development work.