Chief Executive John Lee said on Monday that the government will this month submit a list of recommended candidates for China's space missions.

Two months ago, Beijing announced an unprecedented recruitment of Hong Kong people to join its space missions.

At an expo on innovation and technology, Lee said it used to be a very remote thing for Hongkongers to join such missions, but that has changed in recent years.

"The country has opened up more and more opportunities for Hong Kong, allowing more patriotic and Hong Kong-loving people to realise their dreams and contribute to the country," he said.

The CE added that Beijing has repeatedly expressed support and trust in Hong Kong as it brings endless momentum to the SAR in innovation and technology.

He said his administration will soon announce a blueprint on the development of this sector, to seize opportunities.

Speaking at the same function via video link, Beijing's Minister for Science and Technology Wang Zhigang said his ministry will soon extend an agreement with the SAR government on building Hong Kong into an international IT centre.

Wang said the 20th Communist Party Congress included strategic arrangements for advancing self-reliance in high-end technology, and Hong Kong will surely make greater contributions in this area.

That's because it is an important part of the country's science and technology innovation system, he said.