China News Service, February 19. According to Hong Kong’s Ta Kung Pao, Li Guobin, Director of the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC), introduced the work progress and review at a media tea party recently. He said that the Innovation and Technology Commission will follow three major directions: The four key tasks are to establish a complete innovation and technology ecological park. In the mid-to-upstream aspect, 60% of the R&D results of the "InnoHK Innovative Hong Kong R&D Platform" have corporate participation. In terms of downstream promotion of Hong Kong's "new industrialization", last year's policy address announced the establishment of a "New Industry Acceleration Plan". Li Guobin said that he expected to consult the Legislative Council on the specific framework of the relevant plan in the first half of this year and launch the relevant plans in the second half of this year. plan.
Data map: Hong Kong students watch a maglev train model. Photo by Li Zhihua
Li Guobin said that the Innovation and Technology Commission is committed to carrying out work in three major directions: midstream and upstream scientific research and applied research and development, midstream achievement transformation, and downstream industry development. The four major work focuses in the past two years include the midstream and upstream "Innovation and Technology Fund" to support applications. R&D projects and the "InnoHK Innovative Hong Kong R&D Platform" connect top institutions at home and abroad; the midstream "Industry-Academic-Research 1+ Plan" releases the potential for the transformation of local university scientific research results; the midstream promotes microelectronics research and development, and the downstream promotes Hong Kong's "new industrialization".
The "InnoHK Innovative Hong Kong R&D Platform" located in the middle and upper reaches has completed and continues to promote the commercialization of various scientific research results. As of the end of September 2023, the five relevant R&D centers had a total of 359 ongoing projects, of which 212 (approximately 59%) involved a total of 439 companies in the industry. In response to market needs, the industry was helped to seize opportunities for upgrading and transformation.
For example, through the "Politics, Industry, University and Research", a new steel and high-strength ultra-light concrete hybrid prefabricated composite building with excellent fire protection and triple thermal insulation effects was developed for the construction of a Hong Kong Housing Society elderly home in Sha Tin. ; It also develops and provides asymmetrical competition shoes for Hong Kong fencers. This technology has been commercialized by a European fencing brand and has been launched on the market.
At the midstream level, the SAR government launched the "Industry-Academia-Research 1+ Plan" in October last year. The Innovation and Technology Administration received a total of 94 applications in the first round and is expected to announce the first batch of approval results in the first quarter of this year.
In terms of promoting microelectronics research and development, the Innovation and Technology Commission will establish the Hong Kong Microelectronics Research and Development Institute in 2024 to develop third-generation semiconductor core technologies. The "Microelectronics Center" located in Yuen Long Innovation Park is also planned to be completed and opened within this year.
In terms of promoting Hong Kong's "new industrialization", Li Guobin pointed out that the Innovation and Technology Commission promotes the "New Industrial Acceleration Program", which aims to promote the development of Hong Kong in three strategic areas: life and health technology, artificial intelligence and data science, advanced manufacturing and new energy technology. Enterprises that build new production facilities with an investment of not less than HK$200 million will be provided with more in-place convenience measures. The plan will be launched in 2024.
In addition, the Innovation and Technology Commission will also organize two key events this year: the second "Urban Innovation and Technology Challenge" and the Innovation and Technology Carnival. The theme of the Grand Challenge focuses on enhancing citizens’ experience in nature and promoting community mutual assistance, and encourages all walks of life, as well as students in universities, middle schools and primary schools to integrate innovative ideas into daily life applications. The carnival enhances citizens’ understanding and interest in innovation and technology through a series of interesting activities, thereby promoting innovation and technology culture in the community.