HK, mainland to further cooperate in science,technology during 13th Five-Year Plan

The 10th Mainland-Hong Kong Science and Technology Co-operation Committee meeting was held here Thursday, with an aim to deepen bilateral science and technology cooperation during the national 13th Five-Year Plan period.

The meeting, co-hosted by Hong Kong's Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Gregory So and Vice Minister of Science and Technology Cao Jianlin, agreed to support Hong Kong as the leading base for international science and technology exchanges and cooperation, in concert with national needs and developments.

"Since 2011, the policy initiatives on supporting the innovation and technology development of Hong Kong in the country' s 12th Five-Year Plan have been successfully implemented and have achieved good results," So said.

He added the ministry has given its approval for City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology to establish five Hong Kong branches of the Chinese National Engineering Research Centers.

"It will encourage more science and technology institutions and personnel in Hong Kong to participate in national science and technology projects, enhancing the cooperation and development of technology," he said.

The committee also agreed to reassess 12 Partner State Key Laboratories in Hong Kong to ensure they maintain their leading positions in their research areas.