In August 2023, the State Council issued the "Development Plan for the Shenzhen Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone," tasking Futian with planning and constructing the Hetao area and building a world-class scientific research hub. This marks Futian’s entry into a new phase of high-quality development. The Hetao cooperation zone is a specialized platform focused on scientific and technological innovation under the “Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.” Strategically located at the cross-border junction between northern Hong Kong and south-central Shenzhen, it serves as a natural intersection between Hong Kong’s northern metropolitan area and the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Corridor. The zone covers approximately 3.89 square kilometers, with Shenzhen Park occupying 3.02 square kilometers and Hong Kong Park covering 0.87 square kilometers. The Shenzhen Park’s planned area includes 1.35 square kilometers of the Futian Free Trade Zone and 1.67 square kilometers of the Huanggang Checkpoint area, both under Futian’s jurisdiction.

Development Goals: By 2025, the Shenzhen Park is expected to establish an efficient collaborative mechanism for Shenzhen-Hong Kong scientific and technological innovation and achieve positive results in open cooperation. The overall reconstruction of Huanggang Checkpoint will be completed, ensuring seamless cross-border infrastructure connectivity and the implementation of an efficient, innovative customs clearance and inspection model. The Shenzhen Park’s regulatory framework will mature, enabling smooth factor flows, integrated innovation chains, and unhindered personnel exchanges with Hong Kong Park. Additionally, scientific research management systems will be aligned fully with Hong Kong and international standards. The zone will host clusters of key laboratories, outstanding research centers in leading disciplines, and top enterprise R&D centers, fostering significant scientific and technological cooperation with Hong Kong.

Looking ahead to 2035, the collaborative innovation pattern with Hong Kong Park will be fully established, positioning the Shenzhen Park as a globally leading hub for internationalized scientific and technological innovation. Innovation factors will flow freely and orderly across borders. The Shenzhen Park will nurture world-class innovation platforms and top-tier enterprise R&D centers, emerging as a premier scientific research hub that strongly supports the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area’s international science and technology innovation center and the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Corridor.

As of the end of 2024, significant progress has been made in building the Shenzhen Park of the Hetao cooperation zone. On Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation, both sides signed an arrangement for "one zone, two parks," released and implemented the first “Joint Policy Package,” and the Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch has welcomed 57 Hong Kong scientific institutions and enterprises. Institutional innovation has advanced with the delegation of Guangdong provincial authority over entry and exit approval for Hong Kong-licensed vehicles via the "No. 1 Channel" to Shenzhen, expanding access for scientific research personnel. Additional measures include the introduction of "10 Measures by Customs," implementation of favorable personal income tax policies for industry enterprises and Hong Kong residents, and adoption of five internationally aligned scientific research management systems, such as “l(fā)isting challenges” and empowered project managers. The zone has pioneered innovative talent evaluation systems based on achievements, points, and recommendations, breaking from traditional criteria and establishing new standards. Furthermore, fiscal and scientific research fund supervision compatible with Hong Kong, Macao, and international regulations is being explored. The pilot project "Ke Hui Tong" has been successfully replicated and promoted in 16 cities nationwide.

In the field of science and technology innovation, more than 200 high-end technology innovation projects have been actively advanced and implemented, gathering 16 academicians and experts from home and abroad, along with over 15,000 scientific research professionals. The park is home to branches or projects affiliated with three national laboratories in Pengcheng, Hefei, and Guangzhou; seven major national or provincial scientific research platforms; 13 key projects from five Hong Kong universities ranked among the world’s top 100; R&D centers of eight Global 500 enterprises; five R&D centers or subsidiaries of large Central State-owned enterprises; 10 industry-level pilot platforms; and six international industrial and standards organizations.

Regarding park planning and construction, the "Statutory Plan for the Shenzhen Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone" has been officially released, with a focus on establishing an overall spatial structure characterized by "one core and two wings." To date, 13 specialized parks have been developed, offering more than 800,000 square meters of high-quality scientific research space. The new Huanggang Port is slated for substantial completion by the end of 2025, accompanied by the rapid release of 400,000 square meters of land designated for port goods inspection. Additionally, the “International Collaborative Innovation Zone” will be designed and constructed in accordance with the highest international standards.