Hong Kong deputies to the National People's Congress visit Hefei to inspect fusion device and innovation industry development

On August 4, a delegation of Hong Kong deputies to the National People's Congress conducted an inspection and research visit in Hefei, Anhui Province. The itinerary included visits to the Hefei Innovation Museum, the Memorial Hall of the Crossing-the-Yangtze Campaign, and the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, to learn about the local layout of scientific and technological innovation, the construction of major scientific facilities, and the development of the nuclear fusion industry.

At the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the delegation visited the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) nuclear fusion device. Often referred to as the "artificial sun," this device serves as an important scientific research platform for Hefei in advancing the cluster development of major scientific facilities and the growth of the nuclear fusion-related industry. The delegation also received briefings on the construction of the Hefei Future Science City and the layout of related industries.

Kenneth Fok, a Hong Kong deputy to the National People's Congress, stated that Hefei has developed rapidly in recent years, transforming from a traditional provincial capital into an innovation hub for emerging industries. One of the key focuses of this inspection was to understand the formation path of what is externally referred to as the "Hefei Model," particularly the role of government-guided funds and industrial investment in nurturing industries such as new displays, new energy vehicles, and artificial intelligence.

He believes that Hong Kong is advancing the development of the Northern Metropolis and has established the Lok Ma Chau Loop Fund. Hefei's experience in capital guidance, industrial chain cultivation, and the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements holds reference value for Hong Kong in promoting innovation and technology development. Understanding Hefei's progress in fields such as quantum information, new energy, and advanced manufacturing also helps Hong Kong consider how to leverage its own international strengths and basic research capabilities to deepen cooperation between the two sides in innovation and technology, as well as industry-academia-research commercialization.