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Natalie Wong

As Hong Kong marks the 29th anniversary of its return to Chinese rule on July 1, the South China Morning Post talks to the city’s senior officials about the administration’s achievements so far and what may lie ahead.
Hong Kong and mainland China are expected to begin sharing cross-border data within the year, when more companies will start operating in the Hetao innovation hub, the tech minister has revealed.
In a wide-ranging interview with the South China Morning Post, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong said that various life science and artificial intelligence (AI) firms had already expressed interest in the data-sharing policy.
The minister also outlined plans to roll out events as early as “the start of the new school term” so local students could talk to Lai Ka-ying, the city’s first astronaut, while she was in space.
On the cross-boundary data flow mechanism, Sun said city authorities had ironed out all operational and regulatory details with Shenzhen to enable digital information and biosamples to move securely across the Greater Bay Area.
The second half of the year offered a good window to activate relevant arrangements as more companies would begin operating in the Hong Kong section of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, located in the Lok Ma Chau Loop, he said.
“We are waiting for the final green light from the central government, as this matter involves coordination among many different ministries,” he added.
“I am very pleased to tell you that Shenzhen and Hong Kong have reached an agreement, and we have formulated an institutional arrangement recognised by both sides. We hope that some measures can be implemented within this year.”


He said the mechanism had drawn strong interest from various sectors, including life and health science companies that required mainland data to develop advanced medical equipment and solutions.
Other interested parties include AI companies dependent on vast data pools for training their large language models.
Sun said a dedicated data facility was needed to ensure the relevant data remained securely within the Hetao zone’s Hong Kong park.
On Friday, the Legislative Council’s Finance Committee will vet a HK$3.7 billion (US$472 million) funding proposal to expedite the completion of the first round of infrastructure for Hetao’s Hong Kong park, also known as the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park.
The Hetao innovation hub was a key stop during a high-profile visit two weeks ago by Xia Baolong, Beijing’s top official overseeing Hong Kong affairs.
His inspection tour also included a microelectronics centre in Yuen Long and the site of a large data facility cluster in Sandy Ridge.
Sun, who briefed Xia during the tour, had previously said the director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office affirmed the government’s efforts in advancing three flagship projects, including Hetao’s Hong Kong park.
The Beijing official noted the projects had “achieved preliminary results in a short period of time”.

During the interview with the SCMP, Sun outlined three pillars of the city’s technology development strategy over the next five years to ensure alignment with the nation’s 15th five-year plan, which covers 2026 to 2030.
The pillars comprise accelerating Hong Kong’s development into an international innovation and technology hub, developing the city into a global hub for high-end professional talent, and driving the construction of the Northern Metropolis megaproject, including a planned university town.
On the subject of Hong Kong’s first astronaut, the minister also revealed that the government was finalising plans for interactive “space-to-Earth” events so the public could meet Lai, who is currently aboard the Tiangong space station.
“We are actively preparing events that involve multiple departments. [We received] a very enthusiastic response from youth, tech professionals and various sectors,” Sun said.
“Considering that students are facing exams and the summer holidays are approaching, we believe that the period after they return for the new school term offers a more suitable window.”
He said that while aerospace technology was still a “relatively fresh frontier” for Hong Kong, he believed that Lai’s mission would catalyse relevant research, downstream manufacturing and commercial applications.

Sun also remained unfazed when asked whether tensions between Beijing and Washington could affect Hong Kong’s aerospace development.
“Over the past few years, we have indeed weathered considerable geopolitical tension,” he said.
“But what everyone can see is that our country’s technological advancements have grown stronger, and Hong Kong’s own path of developing into an international innovation and technology hub has achieved an excellent start.”
He said that “regardless of changes in the outside world”, Hong Kong would closely align with national development strategies and accelerate the construction of an international innovation and technology centre.
As the current administration enters the final year of its five-year term, Sun shrugged off a question about his own political future once his tenure ended next July.
“My thoughts are entirely aligned with the chief executive and other officials. We will try our best to perform our duties, and strive to give society a satisfactory report by the end of our five-year term,” he said.


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Hong Kong science and technology

Hong Kong, mainland China to start sharing data this year: tech minister Sun Dong

Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong. Photo: Jonathan Wong

An aerial view of the Lok Ma Chau Loop, the site of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park. Photo: Karma Lo

The minister has also revealed that the government is finalising plans for interactive “space-to-Earth” events so the public can talk to astronaut Lai Ka-ying. Photo: AP

The Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park is part of the Northern Metropolis megaproject. Photo: Eugene Lee

Sun briefs Xia Baolong (centre), director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, during the Beijing official's recent visit to the city. Photo: Handout

Bigger space, better living: what Northern Metropolis public flats have to offer

An artist's impression of the Fanling North New Development Area. Estates located near rivers will feature waterfront elements and integrate with the riverside environment. Photo: CEDD

A view of Kwu Tung North, where a world-class fencing hall and swimming pool are planned for the Northern Metropolis. Photo: Eugene Lee

More of Northern Metropolis set to benefit from eased flow of cross-border resources

The Hong Kong side of the shared tech zone. Photo: Eugene Lee

The San Tin Technopole area of the Northern Metropolis. Photo: Edmond So

Xia ‘fully recognises’ Hong Kong’s I&T efforts, urges city to seize opportunities

Xia Baolong (second right), with John Lee (right) and other officials, greets residents at a light public housing project in Yuen Long. Photo: Handout

Xia Baolong (centre) visits the Kwu Tung North new development area. Photo: Handout

News

Hong Kong

Society

Hong Kong Economy

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Currently, only 23 firms have yuan-share counters, including Tencent Holdings, AIA Group, Bank of China (Hong Kong) and Alibaba Group Holding. Photo: Getty Images

Hong Kong is attractive to mainland Chinese firms as its financial and professional sectors provide capital and services, such as overseas legal compliance. Photo: Dickson Lee

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Exchange Square in Central. Finance chief Paul Chan says a well-calibrated expansion of cross-border stock trading will attract additional capital to the city. Photo: Jelly Tse

Finance chief Paul Chan said the crackdown by mainland authorities on Tiger Brokers and another Hong Kong-based firm for allowing illegal overseas securities trading will have a short-term impact. Photo: Handout

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Tourists take photos outside the former Yau Ma Tei police station. Photo: Sun Yeung

Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui at the Hong Kong government headquarters in Admiralty on June 18. Photo: Jonathan Wong

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The Ovation of the Seas docks at the cruise terminal. Photo: Dickson Lee

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Secretary for Security Chris Tang.  Photo: Dickson Lee

District councillor Peggy Wong has submitted written testimony to the committee. .Photo: Elson Li

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Secretary for Security Chris Tang says Hong Kong authorities have continued to work with counterparts work against crime. Photo: Dickson Lee

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Riot police make arrests after clashes with anti-government protesters at Polytechnic University on November 18, 2019. Photo: Winson Wong

Secretary for Security Chris Tang at the SCMP’s offices in Causeway Bay. Photo: Dickson Lee

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Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau. Photo: May Tse

Lo says shifting Hong Kong from a passive to a primary drug evaluation role is key to keeping pace with rapid biomedical innovation. Photo: Getty Images

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“The existing restriction hindered our talent recruitment," Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau says. Photo: May Tse

Kwong Wah Hospital in Yau Ma Tei. Health minister Lo Chung-mau noted that radiology, ophthalmology, anaesthesiology and dermatology were the most sought-after specialties by local graduates, while other areas failed to attract any applications. Photo: Sam Tsang

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Link Reit is the largest among Hong Kong’s 11 Reits. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong’s Reits are focused on retail properties, grade A office buildings and modern logistics centres. Photo: Karma Lo

The China Securities Regulatory Commission office building. Mainland China and Hong Kong regulators have repeatedly signalled that they are proactively working on the inclusion of Reits in the connect programme. Photo: Simon Song

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Hong Kong is planning to pilot digital exams in selected DSE subjects as part of broader push to integrate technology in education. Photo: POOL

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The Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen new development area of the Northern Metropolis. Photo: Elson Li

Education minister Christine Choi says a 22-hectare site in Hung Shui Kiu will comprise three university campus sites. Photo: Nora Tam

City leader John Lee (centre, left) has pledged to expand a proposed university town by tenfold to 1,000 hectares after Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs Xia Baolong’s (centre, right) visit. Photo: Handout

Minister also outlines plans to host chats between students and city’s first astronaut as early as start of new school term


Minister also outlines plans to host chats between students and city’s first astronaut as early as start of new school term.


Hong Kong, mainland China to start sharing data this year: tech minister Sun Dong

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Minister also outlines plans to host chats between students and city’s first astronaut as early as start of new school term

Minister also outlines plans to host chats between students and city’s first astronaut as early as start of new school term