Hong Kong park’s research push hinges on smoother cross-border flows

More than 90 tech companies have agreed to establish a presence.

Hong Kong must speed up cross-border arrangements for researchers, equipment and biological samples or risk limiting the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park’s ability to support research and pilot production, analysts said.

Clear rules for data transfers, visas, and the movement of biological samples are needed to make cross-border research work smoothly, Wilson Chow, global technology, media, and telecommunications industry leader and China AI leader at PwC China, told Hong Kong Business.

Higher rents and salaries in Hong Kong than in Shenzhen and other Greater Bay Area cities could also deter early-stage startups and companies from setting up in the park, he said in an emailed reply to questions.

The park opened in December 2025 as Hong Kong’s part of a joint development with Shenzhen designed to support research, testing, and pilot production before larger-scale manufacturing elsewhere in the Greater Bay Area.

Two laboratories for life and health technology research and a 100-unit residence are in use, whilst five more buildings are due for completion this year, said Vincent Ma, CEO at Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Ltd.

Ma said Hong Kong and mainland authorities are working to pre-approve eligible technology workers and speed clearance for research materials and equipment.

“Measures under discussion include green-lane arrangements, participating-enterprise whitelists, dedicated lists, and end-to-end monitoring,” he said in an emailed reply to questions.

The Western Cross-River Link Bridge, which will connect the Hong Kong and Shenzhen sections, began construction in December and is expected to be completed before mid-2027, Ma said.

Kenny Shui, vice-president at Our Hong Kong Foundation, said the park’s progress depends on how quickly these arrangements are put in place.

Detailed mechanisms for moving data and biological samples across the border are still being finalised, he added.

The five remaining buildings are expected to shift the park’s focus in 2027 towards tenant move-ins and full operations, Ma said.

More than 90 technology companies have agreed to establish a presence at the park. About half are from Mainland China, one-third from Hong Kong and 15% from overseas markets. About 70% are startups, whilst nearly half are entering Hong Kong for the first time.

Rosanna Tang, deputy managing director and head of research for Hong Kong at Cushman & Wakefield Plc, said the park would need to connect with the wider Northern Metropolis and use Hong Kong’s strengths in intellectual-property protection, capital and data flows, and international connections.

Tang said life sciences, artificial intelligence, and data science are likely to drive near-term demand, but occupancy should not be the only measure of the park’s performance.

Longer-term measures should include talent and investment attracted, cross-border research, and economic value generated for Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, she added.

Ma said patents, licensing, corporate research spending, customer acquisition, and expansion into overseas markets would also show whether companies are gaining commercial value from the park.