Notice of the Office of the People's Government of Nansha District, Guangzhou Municipality on Issuing the Implementation Measures for Strengthening Joint Scientific and Technological Innovation with Hong Kong and Macao in Nansha District, Guangzhou Municipality

（This English translation is for reference only. The Chinese version shall prevail in case of any inconsistencies.）

Normative Document No. 6 [2025] of the Office of Nansha District Government of Guangzhou

Notice of the Office of the People's Government of Nansha District, Guangzhou Municipality on Issuing the Implementation Measures for Strengthening Joint Scientific and Technological Innovation with Hong Kong and Macao in Nansha District, Guangzhou Municipality

To all towns (sub-districts), all departments, and directly affiliated institutions of the District Government:

The Implementation Measures for Strengthening Joint Scientific and Technological Innovation with Hong Kong and Macao in Nansha District, Guangzhou Municipality, have been approved by the District Government. It is hereby issued to you for implementation. Any problems encountered during the implementation shall be reported directly to the District Bureau of Science and Technology.

Office of the People's Government of Nansha District, Guangzhou

January 13, 2025   

Implementation Measures for Strengthening Joint Scientific and Technological Innovation with Hong Kong and Macao in Nansha District, Guangzhou Municipality

Chapter I: General Provisions

Article 1 These Measures are formulated to thoroughly implement the Overall Plan for Promoting Comprehensive Cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao by Further Deepening Opening-up in Nansha District of Guangzhou, the Opinions of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee and the People's Government of Guangdong Province on Further Implementing the Innovation-Driven Development Strategy and Accelerating the Construction of the Whole-Process Innovation Chain, and the Policy Opinions of Nansha District, Guangzhou Municipality on Further Implementing the Innovation-Driven Development Strategy and Fostering New Drivers for High-Quality Development, with the aim of strengthening collaborative innovation with Hong Kong and Macao for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, and supporting the construction of the main cluster for the Comprehensive National Science Center in the Greater Bay Area and the key node ofcluster for the innovation and development ofthe Guangdong-Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area InternationalScientificce and Technology icalInnovation CenterCorridor.

Article 2 These Measures apply to enterprises, public institutions, and organizations that actually engage in business or research and development (R&D) activities in the District, possess a sound financial system, and meet the relevant conditions.

Chapter II: Support Measures

Article 3 Support for Jointly Establishing Innovation Platforms with Hong Kong and Macao

(1) Support is provided to various innovation entities for establishing joint laboratories with universities, research institutions, and enterprises in Hong Kong and Macao. A one-time reward of RMB 3 million shall be granted to Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao joint laboratories recognized by the provincial administrative department of science and technology.

(2) Support is provided for national-level innovation platforms from Hong Kong and Macao, such as national key laboratories, to encourage their engagement in business or R&D activities in the district. Operating subsidies shall be granted for three consecutive years at 30% of their annual R&D investment, with the total subsidy amount up to RMB 5 million.

Article 4 Support for Jointly Undertaking International Big Science Programs with Hong Kong and Macao Institutions

Various innovation entities are encouraged to jointly initiate or participate in International Big Science Programs and projects with universities and research institutions in Hong Kong and Macao, conducting high-level scientific research and technology development. For those that meet the requirements after review and evaluation, supporting funds of up to RMB 20 million shall be granted at a 1:1 ratio of the actual allocated amount of the approved project.

Article 5 Support for Conducting Basic Research and Making Technology Breakthroughs

(1) Hong Kong-Macao special projects are established under the "Nansha Joint Fund of Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Fund" to support Hong Kong and Macao teams in conducting basic and applied research. The maximum funding for a single project is RMB 3 million. The specific implementation is entrusted to the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Fund Committee.

(2) Science and Technology Plan Projects for joint science and technology research with Hong Kong and Macao will be established, focusing on the development needs of Nansha's key industries. These projects support enterprises in the Districtdistrict to jointly make breakthroughs in core technologies with universities and research institutions in Hong Kong and Macao, so as to improve the level of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao technological innovation cooperation. The maximum funding for a single project is RMB 2 million. The specific implementation shall follow the dDistrict's project management measures forof science and technology plan.

Article 6 Support for Jointly Forming Innovation Consortia with Hong Kong and Macao

Support is provided for enterprises to form innovation consortia with universities, scientific research institutions, and enterprises in Hong Kong and Macao to carry out research on key generic technologies. Based on project investment and operational effectiveness, phased funding support not exceeding 15% of the total joint R&D and up to RMB 3 million shall be granted.

Article 7 Introducing and Cultivating Hong Kong-Macao Projects Awarded in Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competitions

An award of RMB 100,000 shall be granted to Hong Kong-Macao projects that have won awards in various recognized innovation and entrepreneurship competitions and actually engage in business activities in this District. For those that receive equity investment from venture capital funds or fund management companies (registered with the Asset Management Association of China) for the first time after operation, an award equivalent to 10% of the actual received funds shall be granted, with the total amount not exceeding RMB 1 million.

Article 8 Support for the Construction of Incubators for Hong Kong-Macao Science and Technology Enterprises

A one-time monetary award of RMB 1 million and RMB 200,000 shall be granted to the newly recognized Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Science and Technology Enterprise Incubators and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Makerspaces by the provincial administrative department of science and technology, respectively.

Article 9 Support for Jointly Building Achievement Transfer Service Platforms with Hong Kong and Macao

Support is provided for various innovation entities to jointly build concept verification centers and small-to-medium-scale pilot bases (platforms) with universities, scientific research institutions, and enterprises in Hong Kong and Macao. From the second year after being recognized by municipal or higher-level departments, ex-post subsidies shall be granted at a 1:1 ratio based on Guangzhou's support standards after performance evaluation. The annual subsidy received by the same supporting entity shall not exceed RMB 2 million.

Article 10 Encouraging Achievement Transfer and Commercialization from Hong Kong and Macao

The transfer and commercialization of scientific research achievements in Hong Kong and Macao are encouraged. For enterprises newly established based on such achievement projects, a one-time award of RMB 300,000 shall be granted to the enterprise when its annual revenue reaches RMB 5 million for the first time.

Chapter III Supplementary Provisions

Article 11 If the items or projects supported by funds under these Measures also meet the requirements of other support provisions of this District, support shall be granted according to the principle of "choosing the higher subsidy without duplication", unless otherwise stipulated. Enterprises may receive the same type of policy support from both higher authorities and the District concurrently, but the portion required to be borne by the District under higher-level policies shall be deducted when enterprises apply for support from the District. Enterprises that have already received other preferential policies from the District shall not enjoy the same type of support measures under these Measures, unless otherwise stipulated. Market entities with a credit rating of D shall not be granted awards in accordance with the Measures for Administration of Credit Rating of Market Entities in the Nansha District of Guangzhou Municipality and other relevant provisions. Tax-related expenses arising from the awards and subsidies shall be borne by the applicant entity.

Article 12 All currency units mentioned in these Measures are calculated in RMB. The amounts involving "not exceeding", "up to", or "reaching" include the stated number itself. The proportions and limits for some support, awards, and subsidies in these Implementation Measures are upper limits. The actual implementation of policy support shall be adjusted accordingly based on the fiscal budget of the year in which the funds are allocated. The term "newly recognized" mentioned in these Measures refers to the first-time recognition.

Article 13 The application guidelines for each award clause in these Measures shall be separately issued by the relevant administrative departments of this District. The application and implementation procedures, specific application materials to be submitted, and other requirements of these Measures are subject to the requirements of the issued application guidelines.

Article 14 These Measures shall come into force on the date of issuance and remain valid for three years. As the support funds involved in these Measures are ex-post awards and subsidies, starting from the year when these Measures are issued and implemented, support shall be provided annually for the qualified items of the previous year in accordance with the provisions of these Measures. If there are any adjustments or changes to laws, regulations, or relevant policies during the validity period of these Measures, the new provisions shall prevail. Before the expiration of these Measures, the District’s administrative department of science and technology shall conduct a phased evaluation of policy implementation according to relevant regulations of higher-level authorities and make timely adjustments based on the evaluation results through due procedures.

Form of Disclosure: Active Disclosure

Issued by the Office of the People's Government of Nansha District, Guangzhou Municipality, on January 16, 2025