HK enterprises showcase products at largest innovation feast in Shenzhen

Hong Kong high-tech enterprises are striving to extend their technological services to the mainland through the 17th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF).

The annual event, which kicked off in Shenzhen on Monday and will last till Saturday, has attracted 34 software companies from the SAR, hoping to take advantage of the opportunity to display their latest inventions, seek clients and expand their market across the border.

It's the third time Hong Kong has set up independent zones to showcase its new products and services.

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University and City University of Hong Kong have also brought their achievements to the scientific and technological feast, widely considered to be China's largest and most influential fair in the field.

At the Hong Kong software exhibition zone, a group of curious visitors gathered around a row of 3D models. They are the creation of 3D-INNO International Ltd.

Law Yee-ping, managing director of the Hong Kong-based firm, said her team is dedicated to bringing advanced overseas educational concept to schools in Hong Kong and on the mainland.

She has developed an educational kit called 3D-INNOBot for promoting STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, maths) learning mode. The kit combines 3D data processing, 3D printing and robotic, and mainly targets students aged between five and 15.

Although it is the first time she has come with her own products, she has participated in the fair for three years and believes there is large space for cooperation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

"Hong Kong has advantages in technological services, like intellectual property rights protection, while Shenzhen has abundant technological achievements and capital. If the two cities could complement each other, there will be a great success," Law said.

The CHTF, she added, is a good platform for people on the mainland to get to know and learn more about the SAR's services industry.

This year's fair, themed "Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Cross-Industry Integration", features more than 200 delegations from over 80 countries and regions, 3,000 exhibitors and 10,000 projects.

Jose Chan, information technology director of Apex Web Design, a Hong Kong firm specializing in helping companies improve their websites, hopes to get more mainland clients through the fair.

"Different from other fairs, the CHTF can attract many high-quality clients, which are mostly big companies," Chan said. "We are able to know the demand of our clients and their suggestions directly, rather than gathering the information through other means."

The growing demand by mainland firms and a different mindset between mainland and Hong Kong service providers have offered more opportunities for the SAR, he said.

"In terms of technology, Hong Kong is several years ahead of the mainland. Moreover, Hong Kong enterprises are ready to answer the enquiries of their clients any time. This is different on the mainland, where most enterprises will not offer services on weekends," Chan said, adding that about half of his clients are from the mainland.

The Hong Kong software exhibition zone at the China Hi-Tech Fair in Shenzhen.[Photo by Chen Hong / China Daily]