On 25 November 2025, Dandan Fei joined a delegation from the Shenzhen Sci-Tech Promotion Association for a working visit to the City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute. Fei, the association's Executive Secretary-General and Chief Legal Counsel and a partner at Guantao Law Firm, took part in discussions on proof of concept, technology transfer, university-industry collaboration and intellectual property.
Technology transfer through a legal and governance lens
Fei participated in her capacity as the association's Executive Secretary-General and Chief Legal Counsel. The discussion considered how research moves from proof of concept to commercial use, and how universities, investors and professional advisers can coordinate project selection, intellectual-property protection, financing and implementation.
Proof of concept and university-industry collaboration
Liu Jianbin, Director of the Institute's Proof-of-Concept Centre, outlined CityU's research presence in Shenzhen, Chengdu, Dongguan and the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone. Established in 2001, the Shenzhen Institute supports applied research, doctoral education, project incubation and the transfer of CityU research into mainland China.
Proof-of-concept briefing and working discussion
Chen Junduo, Executive Vice President of the Institute, described its work linking research and innovation education with business demand. Other participants discussed joint training, shared proof-of-concept facilities, investor participation and a more structured process for identifying commercial needs.
Areas for continued work
The meeting identified practical follow-up issues, including shared research resources, market-based project screening, intellectual-property safeguards and early-stage investment support. The participants agreed to continue discussions on proof-of-concept work, innovation projects and professional-service coordination.
Discussion of technology transfer and collaboration mechanisms