Financial Secretary Paul Chan on Sunday said the SAR government will maintain Hong Kong's status as an intellectual property (IP) trading hub by enhancing collaboration with the mainland.

Writing on his blog, Chan said the mainland is dedicated to promoting high-quality development with a focus on innovation.

Chan said robust legal protection for IP is crucial for innovation, as it provides incentives for the advancement and application of technology.

He also said Hong Kong can play a pivotal role in facilitating IP trading within the Greater Bay Area.

"The SAR government will also promote exchanges and cooperation in different IP domains with sister cities in the Greater Bay Area,” he added.

“This includes facilitating cross-border applications for various forms of IP registration and protection, as well as promoting Hong Kong's professional services in IP to support local businesses in IP trading."

The finance minister also said the SAR government will work with the National Intellectual Property Administration to strengthen training of patent examiners.

He added the government will review the Copyright Ordinance and initiate consultations on it this year in response to the rise of artificial intelligence.