Hong Kong, Shenzhen officials discuss hi-tech border zone

text

A joint task force on the development of an innovation and technology park on the Lok Ma Chau Loop held its inaugural meeting in Shenzhen on Thursday.

The meeting was co-chaired by Secretary for Innovation and Technology Nicholas Yang Wei-hsiung and Shenzhen Vice-mayor Ai Xuefeng.

The terms of reference, operation and composition of the joint task force were confirmed.

The group will conduct discussions and consultations on issues relating to the park’s development, oversee and monitor its development, provide views and nominate a board of directors to a subsidiary company to be set up by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, which will build and manage the border hub.

Innovation Secretary Nicholas Yang, second right and Shenzhen Vice-mayor Ai Xuefeng (second left) hold discussions on the hi-tech park. Photo: ISD

A number of key agenda items were also touched on at the meeting, including preparations for the statutory outline zoning plan, the park’s design and the land grant to the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation.

With the Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Zone on the north side of Shenzhen River and adjacent to the Lok Ma Chau loop, Yang said the project would bring mutual benefits to the two places.

After years of delay, the Hong Kong and Shenzhen governments finally struck a deal in January to jointly develop the 87-hectare site into an ­innovation and technology park, settling a long-running ­dispute over ownership of the border site, which belongs to Hong Kong.

(SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST)