The Hetao Cooperation Zone, first proposed by Beijing in 2017, covers two sections with a total area of ​​nearly 4 square kilometers on the border between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. These two sections are separated by the Shenzhen River.

Last year, the zone achieved initial results, including attracting Chinese laboratories to set up offices there, said Zeng Jianpeng, director general of the Hetao Cooperation Zone.

The latest initiative by the Shenzhen side of the Hetao Cooperation Zone reflects increased efforts to develop leading research clusters in the region by 2035, as part of the plan put forward by the State Council in August last year.

With the influx of foreign talent, other institutions, such as the University of Hong Kong (HKU), are planning to expand further into the zone.

“HKU looks forward to the rapid development of Hetao and we are actively preparing several research platforms in the region and in Shenzhen,” said Yin Xiaobo, professor and deputy vice president of the university, at the opening of the gas station on Wednesday. “This is the most important development direction for us.”