Liaison chief pledges support for HK's goal to become an innovation and technology hub

The central government's top liaison official in Hong Kong urged all central government offices in the city to contribute toward comprehensive Hong Kong-mainland cooperation in science and technology.

Wang Zhimin, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, made the call at a closed-door meeting with senior officials from central government offices in the city on Tuesday.

The meeting was called one day after President Xi Jinping's important instruction was made public - in which he voiced support for Hong Kong becoming a world-class science and technology hub through policies that allow national research funds to be used in the SAR, and favorable tariff treatment for scientific research equipment entering the mainland.

Wang said central government offices in Hong Kong should follow Xi's instruction. They should actively engage in assisting the SAR government to make the most of the concerned policies, as well as helping Hong Kong scientists and researchers to play a bigger role in national sci-tech projects.

Wang also called for the offices to encourage the SAR's drive to share in the historic responsibility of national rejuvenation by participating in building an innovative country.

The offices should play a part in translating Hong Kong's strong common consensus on developing innovation and technology into concrete action, he added.

Wang said he made this call because developing innovation and technology is essential for both the country and the SAR.

National rejuvenation relies on development of innovation and technology. It could greatly enhance the country's competiveness while Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability also require pressing ahead with innovation and technology, Wang noted.

Boosting Hong Kong's inno-tech development would also let the city integrate into the country's overall development and play a key role in building an innovative country, he added.

The meeting was also attended by Xie Feng, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong SAR.

willa@chinadailyhk.com

(HK Edition 05/17/2018 page4)