Major milestone: Steering Group on Shenzhen-Hong Kong Co-operation in Innovation & Technology Shenzhen Side Chairman Liu Yingli, Financial Secretary John Tsang and Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Frederick Ma witness the signing of the solar energy development pact.

Hong Kong and Shenzhen have launched the first major technology co-operation project under the Shenzhen Hong Kong Innovation Circle to form a solar energy research and industrial platform in collaboration with DuPont.

Financial Secretary John Tsang said the project is a major co-operation initiative between Hong Kong and Shenzhen to upgrade the environment and boost the development of renewable energy.

"It also marks a significant milestone for the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation Circle. The benefits of our joint efforts will be extended to other parts of the Mainland and Asia," he said.

Innovative milestone

The Solar Energy Research & Industrial Platform is a major co-operation initiative between Hong Kong and Shenzhen to improve the environment and to promote the development of renewable energy.  It also marks a significant milestone for the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation Circle.  The benefits of our joint efforts will be extended to other parts of the Mainland and Asia.

According to the letters of intent signed today, the Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation will establish a solar energy research and development support centre at Hong Kong Science Park to aid the development of solar energy and related technologies in the city and the Pearl River Delta region. DuPont will join the centre as the first anchor tenant by locating its global thin-film photovoltaic business, research and development centre in the park.

Meanwhile, the Shenzhen Municipal Government will collaborate with Hong Kong to provide land and other facilities to support the downstream development and manufacturing of solar energy products.

Cleaner energy

At the signing ceremony, Mr Tsang said solar energy is a clean and sustainable energy source and its development will help cut the use of fossil fuels in power generation.

"This will help reduce air pollution and the effects of global warming. The joint solar energy research and industrial platform is a major co-operation initiative between Hong Kong and Shenzhen to improve the environment and promote the development of renewable energy.

"We are pleased that DuPont has chosen to locate its global thin-film photovoltaic business, research and development centre in Hong Kong. The decision reinforces our position as a prime location for innovation and technology-based companies in the region."

The latest studies show there is a growing global demand for the use of renewable energy. Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Frederick Ma said the joint project will help meet this demand and bring about significant economic benefits to Hong Kong as it will create new jobs and spur further technological developments in this field.