Chief Executive John Lee officiated at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Park in the Hetao Shenzhen–Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone on December 22,
marking a key milestone in cross-boundary innovation development.
The Hetao Co-operation Zone is one of four major collaboration platforms under the National 14th Five-Year Plan for the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area. The Hong Kong Park is positioned as a world-class innovation hub linking the Chinese mainland with the global market, and as a key driver for cultivating new quality productive forces.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Lee said the Hetao Co-operation Zone aims to become a leading international innovation platform, noting its unique position spanning two jurisdictions with different social systems. He highlighted the advantages of combining the economic strengths and legal frameworks of both sides to support technological development.
Mr Lee said the government would continue to advance the Park’s development by improving institutional integration, strengthening policy support, and attracting top-tier enterprises and research teams. He expressed confidence that the zone would serve as a testing ground for Hong Kong’s innovation and technology (I&T) development, a showcase for policy innovation in the Greater Bay Area, and a new engine of economic growth.
Development of the Hong Kong Park is being carried out in phases. In the first batch of Phase 1, two wet-laboratory buildings and a talent accommodation block have been completed, providing about 32,000 square metres of floor space and 100 residential units. More than 60 institutions and enterprises have begun moving into the laboratory facilities, while the accommodation welcomed its first tenants this month. Construction of the remaining five buildings in Phase 1 has started and is scheduled for completion in stages from 2027.
Planning for Phase 2 has been finalised. Upon full completion, the two phases will provide up to 2 million square metres of floor area. The Park will be organised into technology-focused zones covering areas such as life and health technology, artificial intelligence and data science, new technologies and advanced manufacturing, with the aim of building a complete I&T industry chain across upstream, midstream and downstream sectors.
To speed up development, the Park Company has launched an expression of interest exercise for selected Phase 1 land plots. It received 27 submissions and is analysing them ahead of a planned, orderly release of sites from 2026. The Hong Kong SAR Government will consider various land disposal models, including tendering, to maximise market participation.
Mr Lee also announced the official launch of the Western Cross-River Link Bridge Project, which will connect the Hong Kong and Shenzhen parks. The bridge is expected to enhance cross-boundary mobility and highlight innovative boundary management measures. Designed with a low-carbon, safety-focused and environmentally integrated approach, the single-span bridge is set to become a new landmark under the “one zone, two parks” framework.
Senior officials attending the ceremony included Executive Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Xu Qifang, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR Zhou Ji, Shenzhen Vice Mayor Luo Huangho, Financial Secretary Paul Chan, and other senior Hong Kong and mainland officials.
After the ceremony, Mr Lee toured the Park’s wet laboratory facilities and met representatives of I&T enterprises that have already established operations at the site. Photo by HK Arun, Wikimedia commons.
