The Guangdong-Hong Kong Information Cooperation Task Force held its twentieth meeting in Hong Kong to strengthen cooperation in five major areas

The Guangdong-Hong Kong Information Technology Cooperation Task Force held its twentieth meeting in Hong Kong on Monday (20th), continuing to deepen the information technology cooperation between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Guangdong Province.

Officials from the Office of the Digital Policy, the Office of the Communications Authority, the Innovation and Technology Commission, and Hong Kong Customs represented the Hong Kong SAR government at this meeting. Mainland representatives included officials from the Guangdong Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology, the Guangdong Provincial Department of Science and Technology, the Guangdong Provincial Radio and Television Bureau, the Guangdong Provincial Communications Administration, and the Guangdong Provincial Development and Reform Commission. Representatives from Hong Kong also included research and development institutions and industry groups such as the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute, Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, and the Hong Kong Goods Classification Association.

The conveners from both sides, Digital Policy Commissioner Wong Chi-kwong and Deputy Director of the Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology Qu Xiaojie, reported on the progress and achievements of the task force over the past year and discussed and exchanged views on the work plan for the coming year. Both sides agreed to continue strengthening cooperation in the following five areas of information technology: accelerating the creation of a Guangdong-Hong Kong smart city cluster; deepening cross-border e-commerce cooperation; enhancing cross-border customs information levels; continuously deepening technological innovation cooperation; and accelerating cooperation in telecommunications business construction between Guangdong and Hong Kong.

Wong Chi-kwong stated at the meeting that both the Guangdong and Hong Kong governments have introduced multiple measures this year to promote the development of artificial intelligence (AI), in order to implement the national strategy for AI development. The Hong Kong SAR government announced the establishment of an AI Efficiency Enhancement Group to coordinate and guide various government departments in effectively applying AI technology, implementing AI governance, and promoting the widespread application and development of AI across various industries. Under the supervision of the AI Efficiency Enhancement Group, the Digital Office provides an AI toolbox to promote the broader application of AI technology and tools in data analysis, customer service, and documentation in daily work across departments.

After the meeting, the Digital Office arranged for members of the Guangdong delegation to visit the Digital Tech Experience Center at Cyberport, allowing them to understand how Hong Kong's innovation and technology enterprises utilize cutting-edge technological solutions such as AI, blockchain, and Web 3.0 in their business applications.

In the afternoon, Cyberport, together with the Guangdong Software Industry Association, held a Guangdong-Hong Kong Technology Enterprises Going Global Exchange Conference, attended by representatives from the Digital Office, the Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology, relevant departments, and Guangdong-Hong Kong innovation and technology enterprises. The Guangdong Software Industry Association introduced the newly established Guangdong-Hong Kong Software Going Global Service Alliance, while the Investment Promotion Agency and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council introduced the newly established task force for mainland enterprises going global, actively attracting mainland enterprises interested in expanding overseas business to use Hong Kong as a platform for going global