State key laboratories in Hong Kong need to better align themselves with the country's strategic needs and bolster the city's push in innovation and technology, the government said on Monday.

Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong also said the 15 labs, which are affiliated with local universities, have been asked to submit a work plan and financial report to ensure the annual funding of up to HK$20 million allocated to each of them has been well spent.

"We do wish the state key labs can better align with our national development plan, better serve our national needs," he said.

"And more importantly, we hope all of them can fully leverage the advantage of internationalisation in Hong Kong, strengthen global research collaboration, and nurture and attract international talent, making contributions to develop a strong nation in science and technology, as well as building Hong Kong into an international [innovation and technology] centre."

Chinese University president Dennis Lo, who is the director of the laboratory of translational oncology, said the institution is eyeing further collaboration with mainland cities in the coming few years.

"We are setting our sights on the Greater Bay Area, which has abundant clinical resources," he said.

"This will allow us to conduct large-scale clinical research that could not be done before, enabling cancer-related technologies that we have invented to be adopted soon."

The University of Science and Technology's president, Nancy Ip, said the school would make use of its Nansha location in the work of the key laboratories.

Zhang Xiang, who heads the University of Hong Kong, promised efforts would be made in connecting with the rest of the world and bringing more young people to the city, with the hope of "nurturing more individuals like Jack Ma, Ma Huateng and Elon Musk".