SITI continues visit to Shanghai (with photos)

     The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, continued his visit in Shanghai today (January 14).

     In the morning, Professor Sun visited the GrandneoBay Sci-tech Innovation Park of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) and the 1km Incubator exhibition hall. Professor Sun received a briefing on the construction and development plans of this new research and development (R&D) platform as well as the University's technology outcome transformation projects and the experience of teachers and students in starting up businesses, which help promote key industries.

     He said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is actively propelling the development of the San Tin Technopole in the Northern Metropolis so as to provide more lands for the innovation and technology (I&T) industries. This supports the Hetao Hong Kong Park by becoming the base for promoting the development of downstream industries.

     Professor Sun also visited the Artificial Intelligence Institute of the SJTU to learn about the University's edges in disciplines, talent, and geographic location in the field of artificial intelligence. He was briefed on the fruitful results yielded in core technology R&D, outcome transformation and talent nurturing. 

     Professor Sun then met with the leaders of the SJTU and exchanged views on I&T collaboration between the higher education institutions of Shanghai and Hong Kong.

     In the afternoon, Professor Sun first visited an integrated pharmaceutical equipment service provider, which offers pharmaceutical process, core equipment and system engineering solutions for global pharmaceutical enterprises. He then visited a high-tech enterprise focusing on the cutting-edge technology and clinical application of single-port general-purpose minimally invasive laparoscopic surgical robotic systems, and an innovative investment fund platform on biomedicine.

     Professor Sun said the HKSAR Government made use of the efficient market combined with industry-oriented government policies to promote I&T and actively explore new economic growth points. "We will focus on emerging I&T industries of strategic significance including life and health technology, AI and robotics, with a view to accelerating the formation and development of new real economy which leverages Hong Kong's competitive edge. Hong Kong and Shanghai have great potential in development of life science and biomedicine technology. Close co-operation between Shanghai and Hong Kong will accelerate the transformation and realisation of innovative scientific research outcomes in biomedicine technology. At the same time, the Innovation, Technology and lndustry Bureau will continue to work with relevant departments to spare no efforts in attracting potential and representative Mainland and overseas I&T enterprises to set up or expand their businesses in Hong Kong, thereby promoting the development of related industries."

     In the evening, Professor Sun attended a dinner with representatives of local enterprises in Shanghai. He introduced to them the distinctive advantages of Hong Kong and encouraged them to use Hong Kong as a springboard to "go global" and expand into overseas emerging markets.

     The Commissioner for Industry (Innovation and Technology), Dr Ge Ming, also joined the visit.

     Professor Sun will continue his visit to Shanghai tomorrow (January 15).