Nanjing University and Jiangsu Partner with Hong Kong to Advance Innovation in Biopharmaceuticals and Healthcare
On March 29, 2024, the 2nd Jiangsu-Hong Kong Scientific and Technological Innovation Cooperation Conference was held at NJU Gulou Campus. Henry Tang Ying-yen, a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Founding President of the Federation of HK Jiangsu Community Organizations, He Jing, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Zhao Yan, Vice Governor of Jiangsu Province, Tan Tieniu, a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the CPPCC, Vice President of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, Secretary of the CPC NJU Committee and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Yiu Mau Lung , Member of the National Committee of CPPCC and President of the Federation of HK Jiangsu Community Organizations, attended the conference.
The event consisted of three parts, namely the opening ceremony, the donation ceremony, and the themed discussion.
In his speech at the opening ceremony, Zhao Yan highlighted with the development of new quality productive forces, Jiangsu is determined to maintain its leading position in high-quality development and to serve as a model for advancing the new practice of Chinese modernization. Inspired by Hong Kong’s advanced experience in establishing an international innovation and technology center, Jiangsu will leverage its own strengths in industry and technology, and deepen exchanges and cooperation across various fields such as industry, talent, and resources with Hong Kong. Together, Jiangsu and Hong Kong will explore opportunities for innovative growth and industrial application of scientific and technological accomplishments. Jiangsu and Hong Kong will create a new chapter of win-win collaboration between the two regions.
Tan Tieniu, on behalf of NJU, expressed gratitude for the long-term support from various sectors in Jiangsu and Hong Kong. He pointed out that with the theme “Biopharmaceuticals and Healthcare,” the conference aimed at strengthening the basic research and technological innovation to develop biopharmaceutical industry. NJU excels in the study of biopharmaceuticals. Jiangsu leads the nation in the scale of its biopharmaceutical industry. Hong Kong possesses unique advantages in establishing a world-class biopharmaceutical ecosystem. With collaborative efforts, Jiangsu and Hong Kong will vigorously promote cooperation among industries, universities, and research institutes in the field of biopharmaceuticals and healthcare, and foster the development of related emerging industries.
Yiu Mau Lung emphasized that since its establishment, the Federation of HK Jiangsu Community Organizations has always placed great importance on the cultivation of innovative talents, providing a platform of exchanges for professionals from both Jiangsu and Hong Kong. In the future, the Federation will act in accordance to social demand and contribute to the development of Jiangsu, Hong Kong and the nation at large.
In a video speech, Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong S.A.R., said that Jiangsu and Hong Kong have long-term close ties in talent development, market application of scientific and technological advances, and industrial cooperation. In the future, the Government of the Hong Kong S.A.R will continue to deepen cooperation in innovation with the Chinese mainland, and collaborate with Jiangsu to contribute to the national development of innovation and technology.
During the second part of the conference, a donation signing ceremony was held between the Shanghai Tang Junyuan Education Foundation and Nanjing University. Tom Tang Chung-yen, Vice Chairman of the Shanghai Tang Junyuan Education Foundation, and Zou Yajun, a Standing Member of the CPC NJU Committee and Vice President of NJU, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides. Tan Tieniu presented a certificate of appreciation to Tang Ying-yen on behalf of Nanjing University.
Tang Ying-yen stated that NJU has played a significant role in promoting the development of education, science and technology, economy, and society. He expressed anticipation for the “Nanjing University Special Fund for Jiangsu-Hong Kong Science and Technology and Innovation Cooperation” (the Fund) to serve as a bridge for cooperation and exchanges of talents between Jiangsu and Hong Kong, and facilitate comprehensive cooperation in scientific and technological innovation.
The Shanghai Tang Junyuan Education Foundation is a non-public foundation named after Tang Junyuan, a famous patriotic industrialist and former Vice Chairman of the CPPCC Shanghai Committee. The Fund will support cooperation in scientific and technological innovation between NJU and HK scholars, especially young scholars.
Lu Yanqing, Vice President of NJU, presided over the opening ceremony. Ding Aijun, Assistant to the President of NJU, presided over the donation ceremony. Gu Yuandong, Vice President of the National Innovation Center par Excellence presided over the themed discussion.
Experts, scholars and guests from Jiangsu and Hong Kong, as well as NJU faculty and student representatives attended the events.