Hong Kong has inaugurated the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, marking a significant milestone in regional technological integration. The ceremony, attended by Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and senior central government official Xu Qifang, highlighted the zone’s strategic role in fostering innovation synergy within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
The Hetao zone operates under the innovative ‘one zone, two parks’ framework, comprising an 87-hectare Hong Kong Park and a 300-hectare Shenzhen Park. Chief Executive Lee revealed that the initial phase’s first three buildings are fully operational, already housing over 60 enterprises from mainland China, Hong Kong, and international markets. These include specialized wet-laboratory facilities, residential accommodations, a biobank, and a data center.
Future development plans indicate accelerated construction, with five additional buildings in the first stage scheduled for completion starting in 2027. The second-phase development will adopt a ‘public+private’ collaboration model, ultimately providing 2 million square meters of gross floor area—a 70% expansion beyond original projections.
The cross-border innovation hub specifically targets strategic industries including life sciences and artificial intelligence, facilitating seamless research collaboration across the Shenzhen-Hong Kong boundary. Infrastructure enhancements include a newly commissioned footbridge across the Shenzhen River, enabling efficient movement of researchers between the two parks.
Xu Qifang, representing China’s central government agencies, emphasized the project’s national significance in establishing Hong Kong as an international innovation hub while accelerating regional integration. The zone aims to create a world-class research nexus, offering domestic and international investors unprecedented opportunities in the GBA.
Early tenant Yuanhua Tech, a Shenzhen-based robotics firm, reported immediate benefits from the cross-border arrangement. Company founder Lily Meng noted reduced transit times and increased international orders since establishing their global headquarters in Hong Kong, while calling for additional talent attraction policies to support continued growth.