Editor's note: Development of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone is speeding up, with Shenzhen Park and Hong Kong Park forming a unified entity that promotes cross-boundary innovation and technological development. This three-part series illuminates the transformative role of the zone in breaking down barriers and fostering collaboration between the two regions. The final article focuses on Hetao's efforts to attract global talent.

The Shenzhen Park of Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone has shifted the dial in its efforts to attract talent this month with a landmark recruitment drive to fill senior roles, targeting professionals from Hong Kong and Macao and offering streamlined cross-boundary travel perks. These initiatives mark a pivotal step in its quest to build a magnetic talent ecosystem and fuel the zone's tech-driven growth.

On Nov 1, the Hetao Development Authority issued a rare call for three Hong Kong or Macao permanent residents to fill assistant director positions in administration, technology and industry — its first targeted recruitment of specialists from the two special administrative regions since the authority's establishment in January 2024.

Several days later, China's National Immigration Administration upped the ante by rolling out new policies that allow mainland talent working in Shenzhen Park's research institutions and tech enterprises to, upon registration with the park's management, obtain a three-year, multiple-entry talent permit for the Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR without submitting additional proof of their talent credentials.

These initiatives are part of the Hetao zone's broader push to develop a closed-loop ecosystem for attracting and retaining global talent, including professionals from Hong Kong and Macao, extending beyond its existing preferential policies and robust development infrastructure.

South Korean entrepreneur Junghwan Back is one example of the zone's success in attracting international talent and the distinct advantages it offers.

Back, chief technology officer at Haptron Scientific Ltd, a high-tech company specializing in advanced optical sensing technologies, recalled his dilemma years ago. When packing up his lab equipment at King's College London in 2019, he struggled to bridge a gap familiar to many researchers — between world-class academic resources on the one side, and the manufacturing muscle needed to turn ideas into market-ready products on the other.

Hetao, he realized, offered a unique solution and a vision.

Nestled in the Lok Ma Chau Loop near the Shenzhen-Hong Kong border, Hetao is more than a geographic crossroads; it is a purpose-built ecosystem designed to address the challenges faced by young entrepreneurs, Back said.

From his perspective, Shenzhen's robust industrial support offers a full-cycle guarantee for technology commercialization, from prototyping to supply chains. Hong Kong brings top-tier academic networks, global funding channels, and potential overseas client resources. By linking the two cities, the zone also bridges the critical gap that once constrained his ambitions.

He admitted that, when he began relocating six years ago, his primary concern was the cumbersome administrative procedures between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, particularly regarding work permits. Thanks to the zone's specialized talent policies, he secured his work permit swiftly and without hassle.

Housing was another key concern, until the local government allocated a "talent apartment" to him at below-market rates, easing the financial burden of relocation and enabling him to dedicate himself fully to building his business.

"Even as a foreign entrepreneur, I'm entitled to nearly identical treatment as my Chinese peers here in Hetao," Back said. "The cooperation zone's robust support ecosystem for global talent removes all the distractions, allowing us to channel every bit of energy into research and innovation."

Groundbreaking policies

For Back and the growing number of professionals choosing to put down roots in Hetao, what sets the cooperation zone apart is its bold resolve to pioneer innovative talent policies and take the lead in cross-border integration.

One of its groundbreaking initiatives is the talent appraisal framework, designed to address longstanding issues in traditional talent assessment, such as the tendency to overemphasize the importance of academic publications, professional titles, educational backgrounds, and awards.

Hetao's innovative system evaluates talent through three mechanisms — "achievement-based", "points-based" and "recommendation-based".

Under the "achievement-based" mechanism, individuals from Hong Kong, Macao and abroad who meet specific criteria can access incentives and services available to Chinese mainland talent. Candidates are recognized as "talent" if they have earned internationally recognized professional achievements, been selected for senior government talent programs, or received major awards.

For young professionals who may lack formal credentials like academic papers, awards or professional titles, the "points-based" mechanism offers a fairer alternative as it uses a multidimensional scoring system that considers knowledge, capabilities, and performance.

The "recommendation-based" mechanism, meanwhile, identifies "specialized "or "unconventional" talent who may fall outside standard evaluation frameworks. Through peer reviews and expert referrals, this pathway seeks out individuals with unique skills or niche expertise that traditional methods might overlook.

So far, 39 professionals have been identified through these mechanisms.

A preferential tax policy has added further appeal for talent considering Hetao. For example, Hong Kong residents working in Hetao's Shenzhen Park are exempt from paying the portion of their personal income tax on the mainland that exceeds what they would owe under Hong Kong's salary tax regime.

This policy applies to multiple income streams generated within the Park, including comprehensive income, business income, and talent subsidies certified by local authorities.

In the 2024 tax year alone, 66 individuals benefited from the preferential tax policy, with total tax exemptions reaching 5.05 million yuan ($709,000).

A flourishing ecosystem

"The seamless dual-city lifestyle — with nearby 24-hour border crossings and policies facilitating the flow of talent, capital and technology — makes Hetao irreplaceable," said Ho Yiu-wai, founder of Shu Tang Information Technology, which operates both in Hetao's Shenzhen Park and Hong Kong.

"Unlike other hubs, (Hetao) truly integrates deep cooperation between the two regions, rather than just providing single-sided support," he added.

Ho also confirmed that many researchers from Hong Kong universities in his team have benefited from coordinated efforts by the Hetao authorities to secure housing, alleviating their living concerns, and allowing the team to focus fully on research and development.

In addition, the cooperation zone's office rent subsidies substantially reduced the company's operational costs during the critical research and development phase.

"These policies have directly supported our team's stability and technological breakthroughs," Ho said.

Building on these existing policies, Hetao is moving forward with plans to create an international talent community on the northeastern side of Huanggang Port, which is currently undergoing renovation and is slated to reopen next year. An additional 180,000 square meters of supporting living space will include international schools and hospitals, providing greater convenience for talent and their families.

Du Xiaofen, deputy director of the institutional innovation and coordination department at the Hetao Development Authority, said that scientific and technological talent is the core driving force behind Hetao's high-quality development, as their innovation and expertise underpin technological breakthroughs and industrial upgrading.

"To build Hetao into a world-class scientific research hub, we are focusing on creating a rainforest-like sci-tech innovation ecosystem where talent, capital, technologies and market resources converge," she said. The ecosystem, she added, is designed to be open, inclusive and dynamic, much like a natural rainforest that nurtures a diversity of life forms.

"Our goal is to make talent feel valued, supported, and empowered here, so they can focus on what they do best: pushing the boundaries of science and technology without unnecessary hurdles. Only when talent thrives can innovation flourish, and only through vibrant innovation can Hetao solidify its position as a global sci-tech hub," she said.

Du added that the zone will continue to introduce innovative policies and deepen institutional reforms to further attract global talent. It will also join hands with Hong Kong to launch joint global talent recruitment initiatives.

To date, Hetao's Shenzhen Park has attracted over 15,000 researchers — an increase of 2.5 times compared to 2021.Among them, more than 1,000 are from Hong Kong or Macao.

Ted Suen Yiu-tat, chief executive officer of the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute, stressed the importance of a dual-track strategy to further enhance Hetao's appeal as a global tech talent hub: "First, advancing educational reform and innovation to cultivate professionals with strong innovation capabilities and a global outlook. Second, offering competitive remuneration packages, robust research resources and a supportive work environment to empower talent to reach their full potential."

Contact the writer at sally@chinadailyhk.com