An inside view of the Hong Kong Science Park (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) and state-owned conglomerate China Resources Group on Friday rolled out a HK$100 million ($13 million) training program for nurturing tech talents over the next five years, as the Hong Kong SAR government pulls out all the stops to diversify its economy.

In the first year, the project will feature aerospace technology and initiate city-wide aerospace activities for secondary school students in Hong Kong. Specific measures will include lectures on the latest information on aerospace.

Sun Dong, secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, said the aerospace-themed events are expected to enhance students’ understanding of the country’s aerospace industry, while also kindling their interest in subjects such as mathematics and science engineering

Additionally, representatives from the education sector will visit the national aerospace base on the Chinese mainland, alongside a competition featuring innovative aerospace applications.

The launch of the training program, funded by China Resources’ charitable donation, came on the heels of a high-profile visit by a 17-member delegation comprising astronauts and experts from the China Manned Space Agency.

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Sun Dong, secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, said the aerospace-themed events are expected to enhance students’ understanding of the country’s aerospace industry, while also kindling their interest in subjects such as mathematics and science engineering.

“The events will lay a solid foundation for their future involvement in innovation and technology,” Sun said.

For Hong Kong officials, fostering the city’s technological strength is a key part of efforts to reshape its economy, which contracted last year for the third time since 2019.

Over the past few years, the special administrative region government has invested substantial amounts in I&T-related programs and infrastructure projects. The goal is for the Asian financial hub to reindustrialize itself, develop a diversified economy, create quality jobs, and serve the nation’s needs for technological self-reliance all at the same time.

Promoting the application of technology in society can improve the lives of citizens, during which “commitment” is far more important than “capability”, said Sunny Chai Ngai-chiu, chairman of the HKSTP.

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Chai said he hoped that the new program would inspire young people’s curiosity about technology and help them understand the country’s aerospace industry and appreciate the significance of using technology to contribute to the nation.

By doing so, the country can achieve self-reliance and take a big step forward in the field of technology, he added.

Chen Ying, assistant president of China Resources Group and chairman of China Resources Enterprise, said he hopes different kinds of innovation and education resources can be linked up through the charitable foundation and build a channel for the growth of innovation talents.