SUN DONG BEGINS VISIT TO BELGIUM

Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong yesterday began his visit to Brussels, Belgium, where he met European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education & Youth Iliana Ivanova.

Prof Sun pointed out that it was the first time in recent years that a principal official of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government met the European Union (EU)’s senior leadership, which demonstrates the great importance that the Hong Kong SAR Government and the EU attach to maintaining and enhancing bilateral relations.

Prof Sun mentioned that Hong Kong has entered into a stable social environment, which enables the city to focus its efforts on developing the economy and improving people's livelihood, and at the same time provides a better business environment for overseas and local enterprises operating in the city.

In addition, he highlighted that the current-term Hong Kong SAR Government has been proactively establishing Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre.

Since taking office for nearly two years, the Hong Kong SAR Government has launched and implemented a series of important initiatives along the development directions and key strategies promulgated in the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint, Prof Sun noted, adding that fostering economic development through I&T is a topic of common interest to both Hong Kong and the EU.

After both sides discussed how to further strengthen I&T co-operation between Hong Kong and the EU, Prof Sun sincerely invited the commissioner to visit Hong Kong.

Upon his arrival in Brussels in the morning, Prof Sun called on Chinese Mission to the European Union Minister Zhu Jing to give him an introduction on the latest situation of Hong Kong’s I&T development as well as the city’s continuous efforts in integrating into national I&T development.

He thanked the mission for continuing to support the Hong Kong SAR Government in its work to promote Hong Kong’s advantages in I&T in Europe. Mr Zhu briefed Prof Sun and his entourage on the recent situation in Europe and the mission’s work.

In the afternoon, Prof Sun met European Association for Bioindustries Director General Claire Skentelbery, whose association is Europe’s largest and most influential biotech industry group, to learn more about the latest development of the biotechnology industry in Europe, in particular industrial biotechnology.

Prof Sun elaborated on Hong Kong’s edges in scientific research in the aspect of life and health, noting that the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint has put forward the focus to promote strategic industries such as life and health technology.

He explained that to further advance the future development of the relevant fields in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong SAR Government will provide subsidies for local universities to collaborate with Mainland and overseas organisations to set up life and health technology research institutes.

Apart from facilitating relevant research and development (R&D) activities and the transformation of R&D outcomes, the objective is to attract leading I&T talent and research teams around the world to come to Hong Kong, Prof Sun added. 

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