The Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone (HTCZ), situated on the border between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, is a pioneering zone facilitating technological collaboration between the two cities and acts as a hub for the transformation of technological achievements within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
Spanning two areas, the Shenzhen portion covers 3.02 square kilometers, incorporating Huanggang Checkpoint and Futian Bonded Zone, while the 0.87-square-kilometer Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park extends into the Hong Kong side.
In August, the State Council unveiled a plan to boost the high-quality development of the Shenzhen segment of the sci-tech innovation cooperation zone, a joint initiative by Shenzhen and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
The plan underscores coordinated development between the Shenzhen and HKSAR sections, positioning the cooperation zone as a key engine for the high-quality development of the GBA.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Lee Ka-chiu expressed enthusiasm, saying that the plan injects new vigor into technological cooperation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. The HKSAR Government is committed to proactive collaboration with Shenzhen within the framework of "One Country, Two Systems."
"The high-speed train commute takes about 16 minutes between Hong Kong and Futian District. It enables efficient and direct exchange of technological talents in Hong Kong and other parts of the Greater Bay Area," Denis Yip, CEO of the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI), said.
"HTCZ serves as a convergence point for advanced technological and industrial resources, fostering deeper technological innovation cooperation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong," Yang Jinglei, dean of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Collaborative Innovation Research Institute at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, said.
As of June this year, a total of 10 specialized science and innovation parks with a combined research space of 800,000 square meters had been established in HTCZ. Completed projects include the GBA Digital Economy Research Institute (Futian), Shenzhen-Hong Kong Collaborative Innovation Center, Shenzhen-Hong Kong International Science Park, International Quantum Research Institute, and Shenzhen Innovation Center for State-owned Assets and Enterprises.
These parks have successfully attracted high-end scientific research resources from Hong Kong and foreign countries. The Shenzhen-Hong Kong International Science and Technology Park, in particular, houses scientific research institutions affiliated with four prestigious Hong Kong universities.
To attract talented individuals and businesses, the governments of Shenzhen and Hong Kong jointly introduced a policy package facilitating talent mobility, access to scientific research resources, and business development within the zone.
In February 2021, HTCZ's comprehensive e-service station was inaugurated, offering a one-stop administrative and customs service for tech enterprises, institutions, and high-tech talents. Situated on the first floor of the Chuanglingtong Science and Technology Building in Futian Bonded Zone, the e-service station provides over 560 service items to Hong Kong and Macao residents, including business entity registration, tax-related services, and approvals for cross-border vehicles.
Over 300 individuals from 24 entrepreneurial teams from Hong Kong and Macao have been stationed in the incubator acceleration platforms, leading to the granting of 203 patents.
As per the Northern Metropolis plan unveiled by the Hong Kong SAR Government in 2021, a 627-hectare tech town called San Tin Technopole will be built based on the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park and the Lok Ma Chau/San Tin area. San Tin Technopole is expected to become an important engine for Hong Kong to build its own future Silicon Valley.