Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong began his visit to Wuhan, Hubei Province today.

During a meeting with Hubei Vice Governor Chen Ping on the development of innovation and technology (I&T) and new industries in Hong Kong and Hubei, Prof Sun introduced the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's plan and latest work on leading the development of the city’s I&T industry.

He also learnt about Hubei’s strengths in I&T and advanced manufacturing, particularly the development of chips and new energy vehicle industries.

They also explored ways to further strengthen co-operation between Hubei and Hong Kong in technological innovation and industry development.

Prof Sun later visited Huazhong University of Science & Technology’s Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, which is one of the first six national research centres approved by the Ministry of Science & Technology.

He was briefed on the laboratory's development history, research conditions and innovation achievements, as well as the comprehensive support and services it provides to the "Optics Valley of China, Wuhan" and the development and industrialisation of the optoelectronics industry.

Prof Sun then toured the Jiufengshan Laboratory to learn about its work on promoting the development of the fundamental research of compound semiconductors in order to support Wuhan to become a global compound semiconductor innovation centre and industry cluster.

While viewing the laboratory's chip process lines and professional testing infrastructure, he was briefed on the facility's efforts in pushing forward the technological frontier.

Visiting the Wuhan East Lake High-tech Development Zone in the evening, Prof Sun received an update on the development of the optoelectronics information industry cluster, as well as the efforts and achievements in building the "World Optics Valley".

He encouraged the East Lake High-tech Development Zone to set up accelerators and incubators in Hong Kong.