Hong Kong intends to establish a novel innovation center in close proximity to the border of a local constituency.
Revamped Article:
Hear this, folks! The Hong Kong electoral authorities are cooking up a fresh plan to establish an innovation hub near the border with mainland China in the New Territories, even though it ain't got a soul in it yet.
On a Friday, the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC) spilled the beans about their proposal to incorporate the Hetao cooperation zone — split between Hong Kong and mainland China along the Shenzhen River — into the city's electoral universe. And it's happening seven months before the Legislative Council election on December 7.
The plan is to integrate the Hong Kong part of the Hetao zone, which has been jointly developed with mainland authorities, into the city's electoral landscape. Despite the population prediction of zip-zero for the zone by mid-2025, the commission suggests including the area in the Lok Ma Chau Loop due to its impending development.
Justice David Lok Kai-hong, the commission chairman, shared, "We're seeing substantial development in the loop, and the first three buildings of the loop district will become functional soon. The EAC sees that it will be an appropriate moment to include the loop in the present exercise. We see that the timing is right."
The innovation hub is all about capitalizing on Hong Kong's strategic advantages to nurture cross-border collaboration and technological convergence. Here are a few fueling factors:
- Cross-Border Integration: The hub aims to boost cooperation with powerhouse cities like Shenzhen, which, with over 25,000 high-tech enterprises and 4,000 innovation platforms, is already a global innovation leader in AI, robotics, and smart devices[5]. By planting the hub near the border, Hong Kong can link up with Shenzhen’s advanced manufacturing and R&D ecosystem.
- Economic and Policy Synergies: The hub also serves as a gateway for mainland enterprises to access Hong Kong’s financial and regulatory frameworks for global expansion. Along with strategic partnerships, youth, and talent development are key focus areas.
- Future-Proofing Hong Kong’s Role: This initiative aligns with Hong Kong's ambition to be a hub for global innovation and tech leadership. By anchoring near the mainland, the hub ensures proximity to supply chains and markets while maintaining Hong Kong’s international connectivity and legal framework.
The hub's location strategically connects Hong Kong's global expertise with mainland China’s industrial capacity, driving innovation-led growth before any residential development. Including the hub in the legislative poll likely aims to formalize funding, infrastructure, and policy frameworks, ensuring long-term commitment to cross-border innovation. This addresses gaps in physical collaboration spaces while capitalizing on Hong Kong’s status as a "super connector" in the Greater Bay Area.
- Justice David Lok Kai-hong, the commission chairman, stated that the first three buildings of the Lok Ma Chau Loop district will become functional soon, and the Electoral Affairs Commission plans to integrate the Hong Kong part of the Hetao zone into the city's electoral landscape, including the loop in the present exercise, as they see that the timing is right.
- The innovation hub, aimed at boosting cooperation with cities like Shenzhen, will be located near the border to link up with Shenzhen’s advanced manufacturing and R&D ecosystem, capitalizing on Hong Kong’s strategic advantages.
- The Electoral Affairs Commission's proposal to incorporate the Hetao cooperation zone into Hong Kong's electoral universe, seven months before the Legislative Council election, likely aims to formalize funding, infrastructure, and policy frameworks for the innovation hub, ensuring long-term commitment to cross-border innovation.
- The incorporation of the Hong Kong part of the Hetao zone, which will include the Lok Ma Chau Loop, into the city's electoral landscape is a part of the revamped policy-and-legislation regarding politics, general news, and the city's future development.
