The Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone (Hetao Cooperation Zone) has reached a significant milestone with the topping-out of two wet laboratory buildings and the completion of a talent apartment in its Phase 1 development.

This marked a new chapter in Hong Kong's innovation and technology collaboration with Shenzhen.

Addressing the topping-out ceremony on Friday, John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), described the Hong Kong Park as a "super platform" for the HKSAR to serve as a "super connector" and a "super value-adder."

Lee pledged to make good use of Hong Kong's advantages as an international city and an international hub for high-caliber talent with a view to building the Hetao Cooperation Zone into a bridgehead for I&T, and a showcase and incubator for high-end achievements for the country.

"The HKSAR government will remove barriers and break through development limitations with a reform mindset for the development of the Hong Kong Park. We will also actively explore policy innovation, in particular for supporting policies relating to the free flow of personnel, materials, capital and data, so as to facilitate wider harmonization of rules and mechanisms between the two places with the spirit of innovation and reform," he said.

The Hong Kong Park, with about 87 hectares, will be developed in two phases from west to east. The country attaches great importance to the development of the Hetao Cooperation Zone. The HKSAR government has long been actively pushing forward the construction of the Hong Kong Park.

The HKSAR government has also promulgated the Development Outline for the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone in November 2024.

With the completion of the key facilities, the Hong Kong Park will officially enter into its operational phase when the first batch of tenants from life and health technology, artificial intelligence, data science and other pillar industries move in starting from the second half of this year.

The HKSAR government was expediting the development of the Hong Kong Park, with the construction of five buildings in full swing.

Furthermore, the HKSAR government has earmarked 3.7 billion Hong Kong dollars ($476 million) to expedite Phase 1.

The detailed planning of Phase 2 will be completed within this year.