As one of three drivers of Futian’s development, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone has had its 370,000 square meters of space used for scientific research. 132 projects including Shenzhen International Center for Quantum Research have settled in the zone in Futian District.

The zone, in the Lok Ma Chau Loop area, has attracted a dozen research platforms, like Guangdong-Hong Kong Macao Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub, and Hong Kong scientists, professors and young people who started businesses in Shenzhen, according to a recent interview with Zheng Hongbo, Party chief of Futian District.

Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) signed an agreement to build Shenzhen International Center of Quantum Research in October last year. The center will provide cutting-edge academic outcomes to support the thriving of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Greater Bay Area). It will also make use of Shenzhen’s industrial advantages to cultivate a new generation of quantum IT experts.

In addition to this, Futian also set up six innovation and entrepreneurship bases, including Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub and Hong Kong Youth Entrepreneurship Community, to support young people from Hong Kong and Macao to start up businesses.

“We will stick to put innovation in the core place, implement strategic mission of Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, and try to be an international innovation center,” Zheng said.

On the Hong Kong side, the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park in the Loop area has made good progress with several projects having established a presence there or have shown an interest in doing so.

At a meeting with Wang Zhigang, minister of science and technology, in Carrie Lam’s visit to Beijing on Nov. 4, Lam, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, called on the support from the Ministry of Science and Technology for its closer cooperation with Shenzhen in the development of the tech park at the border near Lok Ma Chau Loop, saying with Hong Kong’s unique advantages, the city could contribute to national development, especially in establishing the Greater Bay Area as a technology hub, according to a release from the Hong Kong government.

“She noted that Hong Kong and Shenzhen were joining forces in the development of the Lok Ma Chau innovation and technology park, and expressed hope for the ministry to support the closer cooperation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen in the information technology area,” the statement said.

Earlier in her visit to Shenzhen after the opening of the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Checkpoint in August, Lam said the Hong Kong government is moving forward with the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park at full steam, with a view to make the first batch of portions of land available by 2021 and first-stage construction of three buildings will be completed by the end of 2024.