The Netherlands is turning its sights to China’s fast-growing biotechnology industry, hoping to forge closer partnerships that can help advance its ambition of becoming a global leader in life sciences by 2040 — with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region emerging as a key intermediary in that effort.

A 30-member Dutch delegation wrapped up a weeklong “fact-finding mission” to China on Tuesday, aimed at identifying potential partners and investment opportunities.

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The tour of five cities, including Shanghai and Shenzhen, concluding at Hong Kong Science Park, the city’s flagship innovation hub which is reported to host some 300 biotech companies in this fledgling ecosystem.

“We are truly amazed by what is happening here in Hong Kong, something we hardly see anymore nowadays,” said Hans Schikan, co-founder of Pharvaris, a Europe-based biotechnology company developing RNA treatments for rare diseases. “The speed and scale of biotech development we see here in China is overwhelmingly positive, and the pace of innovation is unprecedented.”

Schikan, who previously served on the Dutch government’s Top Sector for Life Sciences and Health, told China Daily that China has become an “impressive and massive partner” not only for the Netherlands but for global biotech collaboration.

Maurits ter Kuile, consul general of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Hong Kong, said that it is a pleasure to see biotech entrepreneurs from the Netherlands and Hong Kong engaging in dialogue and seizing opportunities.

It's important for the Dutch government to support Dutch companies in exploring developments on the Chinese mainland and in the city of Hong Kong, "I just hope some fruitful collaborations will come out of that," he added.

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Albert Yu Cheung-hoi, chairman of the Hong Kong Biotechnology Organization (HKBIO), said that Hong Kong's role as a super-connector under the "one country, two systems" framework enhances prospects for cross-border research and commercialization. In his view, biotechnology is a global industry in which collaboration is crucial.

Organizers said the “fact-finding mission” is expected to help Dutch firms integrate into China’s dynamic biotech ecosystem, opening doors to funding, partnerships, and regulatory alignment. Follow-up initiatives include joint research programs and venture partnerships between the two sides.

The outreach comes as the Dutch government rolls out a national strategy to bolster its position in biotechnology, addressing issues such as fragmented regulations and slow commercialization. That strategy, supported by seven ministries, prioritizes collaboration with innovation powerhouses like China to accelerate growth in health, agriculture, and the circular economy.

Jessica Chen contributed to this story.
Contact the writer at irismuk@chinadailyhk.com