From Northern Metropolis to new industries: Hong Kong accelerates innovation-led transformation

As China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) embarks on its first five-year plan for economic and social development (2026-2030), the city is strengthening its "four centers" – International Financial Center, International Transportation Center, International Trade Center, and the Center for International Legal and Dispute Resolution Services – and building an international high-end talent hub to drive innovation-led growth. 

The blueprint places emphasis on integrating education, technology and talent development while accelerating the Northern Metropolis, attracting global talent and advancing new industrialization to enhance Hong Kong's international competitiveness.

Located next to Shenzhen in south China's Guangdong Province and covering about a third of Hong Kong's land area, the Northern Metropolis, a major pillar of Hong Kong's future development, is being developed into a hub for industry, technology and talent.

In early September, Secretary for Development for the HKSAR Bernadette Linn Hon-ho said the construction of the area has begun to show results, with a diversified development plan gradually taking shape.

Located at the heart of the Northern Metropolis, the San Tin Technopole is regarded as a key driver of Hong Kong's innovation and technology development. In June, the HKSAR government established San Tin Technopole Company Limited to spearhead the development of the 210-hectare innovation and technology land, with the aim of establishing a major base for emerging technology industries and new quality productive forces.

In addition, key projects, including the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park (HSITP), the Lau Fau Shan Digital Technology Hub and Sha Ling Data Park, will provide more than 340 hectares of land for innovation and technology, forming a cross-boundary innovation corridor with Shenzhen.

The Northern Metropolis University Town, comprising three distinct sites, is set to expand from 100 hectares to 300 hectares, which will not only help universities accelerate campus development in the area but also pool resources to achieve greater scale and foster synergies among education, research and industry.

The HSITP has already attracted more than 100 innovation and technology enterprises, laying a solid foundation for establishing HKSAR as a world-class innovation and technology hub.

To support innovation-driven growth, Hong Kong is strengthening its position as an international hub for high-end talent. The HKSAR government has introduced measures such as the Top Talent Pass Scheme, improved talent admission programs and the establishment of Hong Kong Talent Engage to attract global professionals.

With five universities ranked among the world's top 100 and a highly internationalized education system, Hong Kong continues to expand its research and talent capacity.

In the World Talent Ranking 2025 released by the Switzerland-based International Institute for Management Development, Hong Kong leaped markedly from ninth place to fourth and ranked first in Asia.

Among the indicators, Hong Kong continued to rank first globally in the percentage of graduates in sciences. It ranked third in the availability of finance skills and fifth in management remuneration and the effectiveness of management education.

Hong Kong is also accelerating new industrialization by boosting strategic sectors including artificial intelligence (AI), high-end manufacturing and new energy.

Through initiatives such as the New Industrialization Acceleration Scheme, the HKSAR government is supporting companies in establishing smart production facilities there.

Earlier this year, energy storage company HiTHIUM entered the HSITP, becoming the first company to build a pilot transformation base and smart production line in the park.

Meanwhile, platforms such as InnoHK and the Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute are helping transform scientific research into practical applications.

InnoHK, a flagship international innovation and technology (I&T) initiative, brings together world-leading institutions and local universities to establish research centers in Hong Kong.

The newly launched SEAM@InnoHK cluster, the third under the initiative, focuses on sustainable development, energy, advanced manufacturing and materials.

By integrating advanced technologies into local industries, the third research cluster demonstrates the HKSAR government's unwavering commitment to promoting real-world applications of research outcomes with a view to accelerating Hong Kong's development into an international I&T center, said Sun Dong, secretary for innovation, technology and industry of the HKSAR government.

The InnoHK research clusters have supported 16 AI and robotics laboratories, with applications across sectors including healthcare, logistics, smart manufacturing and construction.

The HKSAR government has also launched the Committee on AI+ and Industry Development Strategy, aiming to drive AI-powered industrial transformation and economic growth.