Hong Kong’s Innovation, Technology & Industry Bureau and the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Beijing to promote cross-boundary data flow in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The MoU on Facilitating Cross-boundary Data Flow Within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area was signed by Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong and CAC Deputy Director Zhao Zeliang.

Under the MoU, the bureau and the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer will work closely with the CAC to explore effective management measures with a view to fostering cross-boundary data flow within the bay area.

Prof Sun said the National 14th Five-Year Plan indicates clear support for Hong Kong's development as an international innovation and technology hub. 

The tech chief said: “Facilitating data flow in the bay area is an important initiative for promoting the integrated and high-quality development of the bay area, lowering the compliance costs of enterprises and driving the development of Hong Kong's digital economy and proactively integrating Hong Kong into national development.”

He added that the MoU also facilitates the convenient and orderly flow of cross-boundary data from the Mainland to Hong Kong, which will be beneficial in building Hong Kong into a global data hub.

Prof Sun said: “On the eve of celebrating the 26th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the first anniversary of President Xi Jinping's visit to Hong Kong Science Park, the signing of the MoU between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the CAC marks the importance attached by the country and its great support to Hong Kong's innovation and technology development, injecting new impetus to our joint efforts to foster the development of the bay area.”