China's ground zero for scientific innovation

Updated: 2016-09-04
By Wang Hongyi in Shanghai ( China Daily )

A look at the Zhangjiang National Innovation Demonstration Zone in Shanghai, which has been taking the lead in producing the cutting-edge developments in recent years

The world's first quantum communication experimental satellite was successfully launched into space from Jiuquan in Gansu province on August 16, marking yet another important milestone in China's space program.

At the same time, this latest achievement shone the spotlight on Shanghai's Zhangjiang National Innovation Demonstration Zone where much of the research into domestic quantum communication takes place.

Zhangjiang National Innovation Demonstration Zone in Shanghai is a massive repository for innovative resources contributed by more than 70,000 high-tech enterprises. Photos Provided to China Daily

Indeed, Pan Jianwei, the chief scientist of the satellite project at the Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai Institute for Advanced Studies, spends most of his time within this high-tech zone, which is today considered one of the most high profile scientific landmarks in China. China's first quantum communication industry park (phase one) is also located in this zone.

"Initially, many people believed that quantum communication technology is too front-ended to become applicable and think that it's still in the stage of basic studies and theory discussion," said Cao Zhenquan, deputy director of Shanghai Zhangjiang National Innovation Demonstration Zone.

"However, we believe that such technology has great potential to prosper given the right application. We want to be the first in the world to achieve this," Cao said.

Cao also disclosed that the quantum communication industry park has been working with the financial institutions in Shanghai's Lujiazui business district to establish the world's first long-distance quantum secret communication line connecting Shanghai and Beijing.

Innovative ecosystem and resources

In addition to the quantum communication industrial park, there are also a number of cutting-edge projects sprouting from Zhangjiang that have given the location a reputation for being the best location in China for scientific technology innovation. They include a terahertz technology products experimental base, a capsule endoscopy robot trial production line, a stem cells translational medicine industry base, an internet of things advanced sensor project and a mobile internet video industrial park.

The Shanghai Zhangjiang National Innovation Demonstration Zone comprises 22 industrial parks and 124 sub-parks that are homes to different industry clusters, such as new generation information technology, high-end facilities manufacturing, pharmaceutical, as well as energy and environmental protection.

The zone is also a massive repository for innovative resources contributed by the more than 70,000 scientific and innovative enterprises. There are also more than 1,400 research institutions in the zone. The total number of invention patents in this area exceed 51,000.

In 2014, Zhangjiang was identified as a vital element in Shanghai's planned transformation into a global science and technology innovation hub that would exert significant influence on a global scale.

According to Cao, the Zhangjiang zone has, for the past two decades, been working to build an innovative system that can cultivate new industries, attract skilled talent from around the world and implement key projects as part of the national strategy for innovative development and economic transformation.

Encouraging entrepreneurship and attracting talent

Zhangjiang has also released a series of measures to encourage entrepreneurship, especially the development of internet-based industry.

The demonstration zone released a guideline stating that a batch of maker spaces, or centers that provide technology and support to help businesses innovate, would be established from 2015 to 2017. These maker spaces are usually embedded into companies of distinctive and key industries so as to help accelerate the growth of startups. Besides that, business incubators will be created to provide various supports to startups.

To attract talent from home and abroad, Zhangjiang has been working to formulate more favorable policies that will benefit individuals.

For example, the zone's authorities have established 19 service sites for entry and exit procedures in its parks, making life a lot more convenient.

Last year, the Ministry of Public Security announced a series of measures to support Shanghai's transformation into a major science and innovation hub, such as lowering the exit and entry threshold so as to attract more overseas talent, as well as providing preferential policies regarding visa applications and residence permits.

"Our goal is to turn Zhangjiang into a place with world-class talent, world-leading universities and research organizations, as well as influential scientific innovative enterprises. It is only with these Shanghai can become a scientific hub with global influence," said Ma Wengang, head of innovation promotion division of Zhangjiang.

wanghongyi@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 09/04/2016 page29)