The Mainland & Hong Kong Science & Technology Co-operation Committee has agreed to strengthen co-operation in four technology areas: radio frequency identification technologies, automotive parts and accessory systems, integrated circuit design, and Chinese medicine.

Co-chaired by Secretary for Commerce, Industry & Technology John Tsang and Vice-Minister of Science & Technology Dr Liu Yanhua, the committee had its first meeting today.

To enhance exchange and co-operation between the two sides, the committee agreed to invite Hong Kong experts to participate in the medium- and long-term planning of science and technology development on the Mainland and in the formulation of national standards, as well as to establish a mechanism to facilitate exchange of talent.

It also agreed to identify technology areas of common interest in order to work out practical co-operation plans.

Committee's establishment a major breakthrough

Speaking at the opening of the meeting, Mr Tsang said the committee's establishment was a major breakthrough and an important framework for science and technology co-operation between the two sides.

"The Hong Kong Government decided this year to implement a new strategic framework for innovation and technology. The new strategy will further promote innovation and technology development and improve the relevance of applied research and development to the needs of the industry. "

The new strategic plan included the setting up of R&D centres under four technology areas and to subsume R&D in five technology areas under the development plan of the Applied Science & Technology Research Institute, he added.

Strategy aims to see more tech companies set up in HK

"The four technology areas identified for co-operation are also major technology areas for development under the new strategy. The enhancement in co-operation with the Mainland is in line with the development needs of our new strategic plan," he said.