President Xi Jinping's instruction to support Hong Kong's innovative science and technology reflects the great importance the central government attaches to the city's sci-tech talents, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said on Tuesday.

The announcement "inspired" and "excited" the city's scientific community, she said.

Lam made the remarks before attending the weekly Executive Council meeting. The central government on Monday released Xi's instructions to promote collaboration between Hong Kong and the mainland on the technology front and offer support to the special administrative region's attempt to become an international innovation and technology hub.

Last June, 24 Hong Kong-based academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering wrote a letter to Xi. In it, they expressed their desire to contribute to the country and enthusiasm for developing innovative science and technology.

Responding to the letter, Xi issued the instructions and quickly arranged the necessary work.

The instruction shows the nation attached great importance to the scientific talents of the SAR, Lam said.

Now Hong Kong has more than 40 academicians in the CAS and CAE; the number has kept increasing since 1995, she added.

Following Xi's instructions, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Finance announced on Monday that Hong Kong's universities and scientific institutions can directly apply for funds from the central government, according to a guideline.

The guideline enables national funds to be used in Hong Kong - which Lam said is a "breakthrough".

Previously, even if Hong Kong's research teams could apply for the funds by partnering with mainland researchers, the money had to be used within the mainland.

According to the guideline, applicants will not receive funds automatically. Applicants need to compete and only outstanding ones will be granted funds.

Lam said the guideline gave a "shot in the arm" to the city's development of innovative science and technology. It also laid a solid foundation for the development of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park in the Lok Ma Chau Loop.

Lam said she would keep promoting Hong Kong's development of innovative science and technology with measures in the eight areas outlined in her Policy Address last year.

bingcun@chinadailyhk.com

(HK Edition 05/16/2018 page4)