The Ministry of Science and Technology is enhancing cooperation with Hong Kong to accelerate the special administrative region's transformation into a globally competitive innovation center.

The two parties signed a new collaboration agreement in Beijing on Wednesday. The deal would allow Hong Kong scientists and engineers to participate in more national-level projects and promote the flow of talent, the sharing of resources and commercialization of scientific findings.

Wang Zhigang, minister of science and technology, said at the signing ceremony that Hong Kong is a key hub of the global innovation network, a window for China's opening-up and international cooperation, and also plays an irreplaceable role in the nation's science and technology sector.

Last year, Hong Kong issued its Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint to chart a clear development path for the next five to 10 years. The plan includes eight major strategies ranging from supporting startups and industries to deepening cooperation with the Chinese mainland.

"The blueprint has showcased the will and determination of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to develop science, technology and innovation," Wang said. "The new cooperation agreement will push science and technology collaboration between the mainland and Hong Kong to a new stage."

The ministry will continue to support Hong Kong's development in science and technology, utilize the city's strengths to serve the nation's needs and facilitate the integration of the SAR into the country's overall innovation ecosystem, Wang said.

In addition, the ministry will promote Hong Kong's role as a "super connector" that can build international academic exchange platforms in science and technology and attract quality sci-tech talent from home and abroad.

"Hong Kong is now entering a critical phase of its pursuit of prosperity. Let's work together in using science, technology and innovation as a new engine for Hong Kong's development," Wang said.

John Lee Ka-chiu, chief executive of the HKSAR, said the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong is an integral part of China's transformation into a strong nation.

The city attaches great significance to developing scientific and technological innovations and using them to support socioeconomic growth, he said.

"Hong Kong will complement Guangdong province and combine their advantages to turn the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area into a center of innovation," Lee said.

"The deal we signed today marks a key step in transforming Hong Kong into a global innovation center and opens a new chapter of cooperation in science and technology between the mainland and Hong Kong."