Hong Kong authorities are preparing to launch a special channel next year to allow sensitive mainland Chinese biological samples and data to cross an “innovation cooperation zone” between the city and Shenzhen, a minister has said.
Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong said in a television programme on Sunday that authorities had already clearly defined the scope of specific genetic resources and sensitive information permitted.
“I believe we will roll out these detailed implementation plans appropriately when many enterprises move in and start formal operations next year,” he said.
“We hope that sensitive data in other industries, in addition to personal data, can cross into the Hetao park in an orderly and safe manner under the premise of not affecting national security.”
He was referring to the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone. The 87-hectare Hong Kong park at the Lok Ma Chau Loop is being developed as a “special jurisdiction” to complement the adjacent 302-hectare site in Shenzhen.
National policy under the 14th five-year plan has positioned the cooperation zone as a world-class hub for technological innovation and high-quality development in the Greater Bay Area.
Sun revealed that the first phase of the park had already seen 60 enterprises move in, representing an 80 per cent occupancy rate across three buildings. About 60 per cent of tenants are mainland companies.
