MoU Signed to Boost AI, Blockchain, and Cross-Boundary Data Flow
- Hong Kong and mainland China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Co-operation in Innovation and Technology Development to accelerate the growth of the digital economy.
- The MOU was signed by Professor Sun Dong, the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, and Mr.
- The agreement prioritizes several critical technology sectors intended to drive high-quality development in the digital economy.
Hong Kong and mainland China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Co-operation in Innovation and Technology Development to accelerate the growth of the digital economy. The agreement, signed on April 12, 2026, establishes a framework for collaboration between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC).
The MOU was signed by Professor Sun Dong, the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, and Mr. Wang Jingtao, the Deputy Director of the CAC. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and the Director of the CAC, Mr. Zhuang Rongwen.
Key Technical Focus Areas
The agreement prioritizes several critical technology sectors intended to drive high-quality development in the digital economy. The primary areas of cooperation include:
- Promotion of artificial intelligence (AI)
- Facilitation of cross-boundary data flow
- Development and implementation of blockchain technology
- Strengthening of cybersecurity cooperation
By focusing on these domains, the two regions aim to propel the development of new quality productive forces and enhance international exchanges and promotion in the tech sector.
Strategic Alignment with National Planning
The MOU is designed to deepen the implementation of the National 15th Five-Year Plan, which covers China’s economic and social development between 2026, and 2030. This alignment is intended to support Hong Kong’s objective of evolving into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre.
Beyond infrastructure and regulation, the agreement seeks to promote a new real economy driven by technological innovation. This strategy is aimed at driving the deeper integration of Hong Kong into the overall national development of China.
Chief Executive John Lee stated that the HKSAR Government will actively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan to formulate Hong Kong’s own first five-year plan. This roadmap is intended to establish the city as a hub for high-end international talent.
John Lee
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will actively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan, formulate Hong Kong’s first five-year plan, striving to develop Hong Kong into an international I&T centre and a hub for high-end international talent, and achieving high-quality development.
Economic and Regulatory Implications
The cooperation focuses on leveraging the unique position of Hong Kong under the one country, two systems
principle. According to John Lee, the city will capitalize on its close connections with the global market and the support provided by the mainland to advance its technological standing.
The MOU is described as a milestone in the development of the digital economy, signaling a coordinated effort to streamline how data and technology are managed across the boundary. The focus on cross-boundary data flow is particularly significant for businesses operating in both Hong Kong and mainland China, as it addresses the technical and regulatory hurdles of moving information between different jurisdictions.
The inclusion of blockchain and AI suggests a move toward integrating decentralized ledger technologies and machine learning into the regional economic framework, aiming for a more modernized, tech-driven industrial base.