The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Shenzhen Municipal Government and Dupont reached an agreement in early May on setting up a Solar Energy Research and Industrial Platform. This is the first major technology co-operation project between the two governments since the signing of the agreement on the 'Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation Circle' in May 2007.

According to the letters of intent signed by the three parties on 5 May, the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation will take the lead to establish a Solar Energy R&D Support Centre in the Hong Kong Science Park (HKSP) to assist the development of solar energy and related technologies in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta region. DuPont will join the Centre as the first anchor tenant by locating its Global Thin Film Photovoltaic Business/R&D Centre in HKSP. At the same time, the Shenzhen Municipal Government will collaborate with Hong Kong to provide land and other facilities to support the downstream development of solar energy and manufacturing of solar energy products.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr John C Tsang, Financial Secretary, said, '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.'

'The joint project will help meet the demand for renewable energy and bring about significant economic benefits to Hong Kong as it will create new job opportunities and spur further technological developments in this field,' Mr Frederick Ma, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, said.

Mr Liu Ying-li, Chairman of the Shenzhen side of the 'Steering Group on Shenzhen/Hong Kong Co-operation in Innovation and Technology', said, 'Through consolidating the strength of their respective resources, collaboration between Shenzhen and Hong Kong will serve to enhance the competitiveness of both places in the international arena.'