PolyU-Shaoxing Technology and Innovation Research Institute officially inaugurated, four major research centres to support industrial upgrading

Jointly established by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the People’s Government of Keqiao District, Shaoxing, the PolyU-Shaoxing Technology and Innovation Research Institute (the Institute) was officially inaugurated yesterday, together with a plaque-unveiling ceremony to mark the setting-up of InnoHub@Shaoxing. This represents a new phase of collaboration in technological innovation between Hong Kong and Shaoxing, opening a new chapter in the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta.

Marking the official establishment of the Institute, the inauguration ceremony in Shaoxing was officiated by Dr LAM Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman; Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation); Prof. DONG Cheng, Associate Vice President (Mainland Research Advancement); Prof. John XIN, Director of the Institute, together with Ms WU Dengfen, Deputy Secretary of the Shaoxing Municipal Party Committee and Mayor; Ms ZHANG Xue, Vice Mayor of the Shaoxing People’s Government; Mr JING Yao, Deputy Secretary of the Keqiao District Party Committee and District Mayor; and Mr PAN Xiaodong, Standing Committee Member and Head of the Organisation Department of the Keqiao District Party Committee.

Dr Lam Tai-fai remarked, “The Institute is Shaoxing’s first collaborative platform between the Shaoxing Government and academic partner outside Shaoxing, fully demonstrating the strong emphasis placed by all levels of Government on higher education and technological innovation. PolyU will work hand in hand with Shaoxing to deepen collaborative innovation among Government, industry, academia and research sectors, encouraging the translation of high-calibre research outcomes for mutual benefit and growth.”

Ms Wu Dengfen said, “Since Keqiao District and PolyU signed the agreement to jointly establish the Institute last September, we have worked together closely. In just over a year, the Institute has been established and brought into operation, and has become a national-level intellectual property protection demonstration zone. This provides enterprises and talent with strong support for innovation and an enabling environment for development.”

The Institute has established four major research centres, focusing on smart textiles, modern residential construction, carbon fibre composite materials, and food nutrition and health. Prof. Christopher Chao noted that these research areas are closely aligned with national strategies and the mission of local industry clusters. By leveraging PolyU strength in research innovation and knowledge transfer, the Institute will drive technological innovation and the commercialisation of research outcomes, thereby promoting sustainable regional development.

The event also featured a plaque presentation marking the setting-up of InnoHub@Shaoxing, during which Dr Lam Tai-fai and Prof. Christopher Chao presented the plaque to Prof. Dong Cheng and Prof. John Xin. Agreements were signed between the Institute and several local enterprises in Shaoxing to promote collaboration in technological innovation and deepen industry integration.

The Institute is not only a research platform but also a significant initiative to support PolyU’s deep integration into the innovation ecosystem of the Yangtze River Delta and to serve the Nation’s regional development strategies, becoming a model of cooperation between Hong Kong and Shaoxing. Moving forward, the Institute will adopt a development philosophy of “openness, synergy and efficiency”, pooling innovation resources at home and abroad to address the practical needs of Keqiao industries and inject fresh momentum into Shaoxing’s high-quality development, making greater contributions to national technological innovation.

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