China wants to add around 50 high-tech zones by 2030, pledging to continue providing support and investment. The government credits these industrial development sites with fueling the country’s GDP and achieving “breakthroughs” in quantum computing and 5G communications.
There are currently 173 high-tech zones in the country, 84 of which were created in the last decade alone. The aim is to increase this number to 220 by the end of the 14th government’s five-year plan in 2025, the science and technology ministry said at a press conference. These sites will cover most prefectural cities in eastern China, as well as major prefectural cities in central and western China.
High-tech zones contributed 13.4% of the country’s GDP in 2021, while only using 2.5% of national building land, according to a report released Thursday by the China Daily. Development sites generated 15.3 trillion yuan ($2.2 trillion) in GDP last year, up from 5.4 trillion yuan ($775.77 billion) in 2012.
Cutting-edge research centers and companies
They are also home to 78% of China’s national technology innovation centers and 84% of key state laboratories, including university and research facilities that are funded by the federal government. Over 4,400 research institutions reside in technology zones, employing over 5.63 million researchers.
More than 115,000 high-tech companies were located in these zones last year, compared to less than 20,000 in 2012. Total exports from these zones accounted for 24.4% of the country’s total exports last year, compared to only 3.2% in 2012.
In addition, 97 high-tech zones recorded revenues of 100 billion yuan ($14.37 billion) last year, up from 54 in 2012, said Li Youping, deputy director of the Industry Development Center. of high technology from Torch to the Ministry of Science and Technology.
He added that these sites collectively spent more than 1 trillion yuan ($143.66 billion) on research and development last year.
Breakthroughs in quantum and 5G
Li Youping said high-tech areas have made several breakthroughs, including in quantum computing, satellite navigation and 5G communications. China’s first artificial intelligence (AI) chip as well as the first quantum communication satellite were developed by scientists and companies working in high-tech areas, he noted.
He added that the zones have established more than 2,200 overseas research institutions, with 77% of them implementing policies to boost globalization.
“These areas will become the vanguard of high-quality development and further contribute to China’s transformation into a science and technology powerhouse,” Li Youping said.
Areas that resist
Deputy director of regional research and innovation commercialization of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Wu Jiaxi, said high-tech zones have remained resilient to risks and are able to achieve growth despite the global market uncertainties in recent years.
Wu Jiaxi added that the government would continue to provide “political support” and boost investment in key areas including digital technologies, energy and biopharmaceuticals. For example, Changsha High-Tech Zone in Hunan Province will invest 1 billion yuan ($143.66 million) over the next three years to nurture local talent, he said.
Tax breaks and product marketing assistance will also be offered to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), he noted.
Among the current 173 high-tech zones is the Chengdu Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone, which generated a gross regional product of 280.06 billion yuan ($40.23 billion) last year, with a annual growth of 11.1%. Established in 1988, the site also includes the Singapore-Sichuan Hi-Tech Innovation Park, jointly developed by Singapore and Sichuan and focused on the development of 5G, AI, big data and network security.
Source: ZDNet.com