Beijing’s IT minister has renewed support for Hong Kong to build a base for innovative industries and pledged to ramp up cooperation in advanced manufacturing as authorities signed a deal to develop the country’s “new productive forces”.

The signing ceremony for the non-binding agreement was held in the capital on Thursday evening and attended by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, who is visiting on a three-day trip. The city leader is set to speak at a symposium the following day to promote economic and investment cooperation.

Industry and information technology minister Jin Zhuanglong said the central government and Hong Kong authorities would step up their regular exchanges to deepen cooperation in artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, new energy and new materials, biomedicine, the digital economy and other fields.

“Hong Kong has the unique advantage of being connected to the world and backed by the motherland. Its higher education, financial system and innovation ecosystem are world-class, and it has broad prospects for the development of new industrialisation,” Jin said.

He also reaffirmed support for the city to develop a national technology and innovation platform and an industrial base, as well as to jointly formulate international standards and enable the movement of top technology talent.