Full text of the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) (3)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Table 12 Developing Major Technology Projects2.40 We will leverage the role of universities as the source of basic research, and major scientific and technological breakthroughs, and fully capitalise on our resources with comparative advantages such as the State Key Laboratories in Hong Kong and the InnoHK research clusters so as to improve systemic innovation capabilities. We will encourage joint efforts in making breakthroughs in core and frontier technologies, in a bid to enhance the overall efficacy of the innovation system. In the meantime, we will enhance the mechanism for identifying, selecting, and nurturing innovation talent, better support the development of technology talent (young people in particular), and accelerate the development of a strategic technology talent pool.

2.41 We will reinforce the role of enterprises as innovation entities. Through relevant funding schemes and funds, we will continue to channel social capital into strategic emerging industries and future industries, with a view to nurturing I&T enterprises with a global edge and providing staunch support for the development of new industrialisation. In the meantime, we will encourage enterprises to give full play to their role as innovation entities by increasing R&D investment, so as to promote in depth industry academia research integration, and expedite transformation of R&D outcomes as well as industrialised production. We will also support enterprises in establishing R&D centres, pilot production facilities, and bases for mass production, which will help closely link up the key segments of the innovation chain from R&D and testing to application and hitting the market, enhancing the synergised development across the industry, innovation, and supply chains.

Table 13 Development of the Loop Hong Kong Park and San Tin Technopole2.43 We will advance the development of five key R&D institutions (i.e. the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI), the Hong Kong Microelectronics Research and Development Institute (MRDI), the Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute (AIRDI) and the Life and Health Technology Research Institute (LHTRI)) to enhance Hong Kong’s public research system and the efficacy of our I&T framework. Building on the solid foundation laid over the years by the HKPC, which focuses on the upgrading and transformation of enterprises and supports the promotion of new industrialisation, and the ASTRI, which concentrates on the fields of advanced communication technologies, intelligent perception, and smart city, we have identified core areas of strategic frontier technologies in our country and Hong Kong for establishing three high quality R&D institutions, namely the MRDI, the AIRDI, and the LHTRI, so as to consolidate and enhance our capacity in scientific research.

Table 14 R&D Institutions under the New LayoutSection 3 Advance New Industrialisation and Expedite Innovation and Technology Industry Development

2.44 We will promote new industrialisation having regard to local circumstances, with a view to establishing a framework with Hong Kong character for the development of new industrialisation system with reference to our strengths in I&T and the market demand. Major measures include fostering the upgrading and transformation of traditional industries by making use of I&T, developing and strengthening emerging industries of strategic value, planning for future industries, and better developing producer services.

Table 15 Strengthening Emerging Industries and Planning for Future Industries2.46 In line with the above developments, we will accelerate the development of national strategic emerging industries. With reference to the requirements regarding establishing national manufacturing innovation centres, we will advance the establishment of the first national manufacturing innovation centre in Hong Kong on the foundation of the MRDI, focusing on next generation power semiconductor technologies, processes, chips, components, equipment, etc. for extreme environment applications, thereby pooling enterprises in the upstream and downstream industry chain to develop a microelectronics ecosystem. Meanwhile, we will support the development of Hong Kong’s I&T and strategic industries with patient capital by launching the Innovation and Technology Industry Oriented Fund and enhancing the Innovation and Technology Venture Fund, in a bid to channel more market capital to invest in specific emerging and future industries of strategic value such as semiconductors, AI and robotics, life and health technology, as well as new energy and new materials, thereby fostering new quality productive forces.

2.47 We will promote AI as a core industry for Hong Kong’s future development and empower different sectors of the economy through AI technology. We will enhance the AI ecosystem in multiple dimensions and continue to take forward the AI+ Initiative on all fronts. We will strengthen integration across boundaries, deepen the development and utilisation of data resources, and pursue synergised development with the Mainland. We will enhance the layout of computing infrastructure at full steam to empower development, and provide strong support for the computing power required to develop the AI industry in Hong Kong through the development of the Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster. We will also review the legislation to support wider application of AI, ensuring an up to date legal environment, with a view to putting in place a regulatory framework that is conducive to the development of AI and intelligentisation in Hong Kong. While supporting SMEs to expedite their application of AI, we will also enhance the AI literacy of the public, facilitating their enjoyment of a safe, smart, and convenient digital life. Based on life and health technology and embodied intelligence, we will formulate strategies for driving industry transformation with AI.

Table 16 Advancing AI+2.48 We will promote the development of autonomous vehicles in Hong Kong. With the goal of enabling cross district travel of autonomous vehicles and their connections to other modes of transport, we will, in an orderly manner, actively accelerate the large scale development of driverless autonomous driving in our city and expedite its transition to commercial operations, with a view to creating a more convenient and safer travel experience for citizens through smart mobility.

Section 4 Develop a Healthcare Innovation System

Table 17 Establishing an Internationally Renowned Regulatory Authority for Medical Products and Developing the Capacity for Independent Evaluation of Medical Products2.50 We shall develop Hong Kong into Asia’s premier early phase clinical trial centre and a top notch medical innovation transformation base in the world. The initiatives include building a comprehensive infrastructure and digital portal for clinical trial, nurturing local medical innovation talent, enhancing clinical application scenarios, fully leveraging the advantage of real world data, and reforming the evaluation mechanism for medical products. With the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute in the Loop Hong Kong Park as the core, we will collaborate with the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trials Center in the Loop Shenzhen Park under the “one institute, one centre” model to create synergy effect, driving the high quality development of medical innovation in the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area.

Table 18 Creating a Clinical Trial and Medical Innovation EcosystemSection 5 Develop an International Hub for Science and Technology Co-operation

2.51 We will enhance our global influence in science and technology. By strengthening international cross disciplinary co-operation with world renowned institutions, research institutes, and I&T parks, we will develop Hong Kong into an important gateway for the country to open up and co-operate with the world in the field of I&T.
2.56 We will adopt a targeted approach to attract talent in view of the development needs of our country and Hong Kong. Changes in manpower supply and demand in Hong Kong will be dynamically monitored through the Manpower Projection exercises and the follow up surveys so that we can advance our talent attraction efforts in a targeted manner. We will review the Talent List and adjust the talent attraction strategies based on the demand for talent. With full regard to Hong Kong’s strategic position in future development, we will expand our labour force and improve the demographic structure. We will also strengthen Hong Kong Talent Engage’s overseas publicity and promotion efforts in a targeted manner.

Table 19 Deepening the Development of the International Legal and Dispute Resolution Services CentreSection 2 Develop a Regional Intellectual Property Trading Centre

2.60 To ensure that our IP protection mechanism aligns with international rules, we will continue to enhance our IP regime (particularly in the four key areas of copyright, trade marks, patents, and registered designs). We will advance the extension of suitable international IP treaties to Hong Kong in an orderly manner, so as to enhance the international alignment and overall competitiveness of Hong Kong’s IP regime. We will deepen our cross boundary facilitation measures for, among others, providing enquiry services in more Mainland cities, fostering business collaboration, and facilitating cross boundary protection, etc., so as to fast track the processing of eligible cross boundary applications for registration, so that applicants may enjoy protection in a more timely manner.

Table 20 Patent System Reform2.62 We shall develop a thriving and sound IP trading ecosystem. We will advance pilot projects in collaboration with financial and professional services institutions to explore IP financing modes, so as to channel capital into IP intensive industries such as I&T, cultural and creative industries, etc. Through institutional innovation and policy support, we will develop an IP trading hub where the cost is low and the liquidity is high, encouraging enterprises to centralise their management and exploitation of IP in Hong Kong. With the soon to be established IP Academy, we will more systemically nurture talent with knowledge in the creation, protection, management, financing, utilisation, and commercialisation of IP for various IP intensive industries, thereby creating stronger impetus for growth within the ecosystem. We will continue to strengthen promotion and exchanges at international and regional levels, deepen collaboration with the Mainland, and support Mainland enterprises in making use of Hong Kong as an IP trading platform to go global.
Section 3 Develop an East meets West Centre for International Cultural Exchange

2.63 We will promote our profound traditional Chinese culture and develop cultural contents with Hong Kong character. The Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development will be fully implemented. We will step up the promotion of Hong Kong’s signature mega events and the systematic protection of intangible cultural heritage, so as to foster the inheritance and promotion of profound traditional Chinese culture. We are also fully committed to establishing the Chinese Culture Experience Centre and a museum showcasing the development and achievements of our country, while forging close collaboration between the Hong Kong Palace Museum and the Palace Museum, with a view to presenting the rich facets of profound traditional Chinese culture as well as the major developments and achievements of our country.

Table 21 Development of the Arts, Culture, and Creative Industries2.65 We will drive wider participation in sports, and promote sports in the community with the goal of enhancing the overall health of the public, and encourage citizens to engage in territory-wide major multi-sport events as well as community recreation and sports programmes. We will step up support for the development of team sports, align with our country’s development direction of promoting the “three big-ball games” (i.e. football, basketball, and volleyball), and leverage Hong Kong’s competitiveness in its traditional strongholds so as to foster a strong sporting culture in the community, and to identify and nurture outstanding talent in competitive sports. We will enhance the overall landscape of sports infrastructure, leverage the strategic positioning of the Kai Tak Sports Park as the largest integrated sports, leisure, and entertainment landmark in Hong Kong, review the development potential of existing large-scale venues, and strategically plan for new sports facilities.

2.66 We will develop elite sports, maintain Hong Kong as a centre for major international sports events, enhance professionalism in sports, and develop sports as an industry. Through the elite sports training system of the Hong Kong Sports Institute, we will comprehensively support our athletes and elevate their performance. We will make full use of the Kai Tak Sports Park and the “M” Mark System to support the staging of more diverse and higher-tier major international sports competitions and events in Hong Kong. We will also pursue the hosting of single-sport competitions at the national, Asian, and international levels. We will enhance the governance capabilities of national sports associations and the professional standards of the sports sector, and utilise technology to enhance athletes’ performance. In the meantime, we will support Asian and international sports associations to establish presence in Hong Kong, and foster closer ties between Hong Kong and international sports associations. We will also support the implementation of the Pilot Scheme on Sports Dispute Resolution. To spur the development of peripheral industries and professional venue services, we will advance “Sports+Mega events” development (including international mega football events).

Table 22 Sports Development2.67 We will deepen the integrated development of culture, sports, and tourism, and enrich the supply of high-quality tourism products. We will deepen thematic travel experience and promote festive events with distinctive local and international characteristics to highlight Hong Kong’s East-meets-West cultural edge. We will explore more routes for city walks, foster horse-racing tourism, promote Hong Kong’s culinary offerings, expand and strengthen our annual flagship events, and enhance connections and co-operation with world-renowned wine-producing regions. We will continue to develop Hong Kong into the Events Capital of Asia and promote world-class mega event tourism that integrates sports and culture. In the meantime, we will consolidate Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s hub for international cruises by attracting cruise lines to deploy ships to Hong Kong and leverage Hong Kong as the homeport, actively exploring potential source markets, and sustaining collaboration with ports in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. We will fully capitalise on Hong Kong’s beautiful coastline and abundant island resources to develop island-hopping tours and other water sports activities. Meanwhile, we will continue to enhance the attractiveness of famous tourist attractions, including Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park, etc.

Table 23 Integrated Development of Culture, Sports, and Tourism2.68 We will actively develop the yacht economy. We will accelerate the development of yacht berthing facilities so as to provide more yacht berths to attract more visiting yachts (including superyachts) to Hong Kong. We will actively implement facilitation measures for the northbound travel of yachts from Hong Kong and southbound travel of yachts from Guangdong, including authorising relevant organisations in Mainland cities to provide examinations on knowledge of Hong Kong waters as well as recognised short-term training courses and assessments for masters of visiting yachts, with a view to fostering a healthy, sustainable, and competitive environment for the development of the local yacht economy.

2.69 We will develop a core demonstration zone for multi-destination tourism. We strive to become the southern gateway for overseas visitors entering the Mainland, making good use of cross-boundary infrastructure to facilitate visitors’ further extension of itineraries to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and other provinces and municipalities. We will deepen co-operation with the Mainland and industry partners, and step up promotion in conventional source markets such as the United States and Canada, as well as other high-potential markets such as the Middle East, ASEAN, and other parts in Asia and Europe. We will review and enhance various facilitation arrangements for overseas visitors to enter the Mainland via Hong Kong with a view to attracting more high value-added overnight overseas visitors to Hong Kong and the Mainland. We will strengthen the collaboration mechanism with Mainland provinces and municipalities on tourism to promote cross-boundary multi-destination tourism (i.e. Hong Kong + Mainland cities) among residents of both places.

Table 24 Development of the Tourism Industry2.70 We will enhance tourism services while bolstering infrastructure and ancillary facilities. We will continue to enhance the regulatory regime of the tourism industry and strengthen the talent cultivation mechanism. We will launch a new specialised tourist guide licensing programme¹¹ to enhance the professionalism of tourist guides. We will work with the tourism industry and educational institutions to expand the talent pool of tourism professionals. We will foster hospitality spirit, upgrade Muslim-friendly facilities, and enhance service quality. We will drive the application of smart technologies in the fields of tourism to create a convenient, inclusive, and smart tourism environment, comprehensively elevating the experience of visitors, thereby boosting Hong Kong’s attractiveness and competitiveness as a premium tourism destination.

⁸ “Unicorns” refer to “Unicorn companies”, i.e. start ups with market valuation over US$ 1 billion before listing.Issued at HKT 11:32

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