Shanghai will accelerate its development into a world-class science and technology center during the 14th Five Year Plan (2021-25), officials said. Integrated circuits, biomedicine, artificial intelligence and several other industries will be focuses and drivers in Shanghai’s transformation into a global innovation hub, Lin Nianxiu, Deputy Director of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), told a news briefing. He said Shanghai’s Zhangjiang Comprehensive National Science Center is the core pillar for the city’s rise as an international science center as it is home to numerous advanced scientific instruments and research platforms, which have produced many world-class original breakthroughs in recent years. Wu Qing, Vice Mayor of Shanghai, said scientists from the city contributed 32% of the Chinese papers published last year in top journals such as Nature, Science and Cell.
Examples of Shanghai’s recent scientific achievements include major breakthroughs in plasma etching machine technology for chipmaking, a new drug to treat Alzheimer’s disease named GV-971, and new advanced equipment for medical imaging and diagnosis, Wu said. Shanghai has also been ranked the most attractive Chinese city for foreign talent for eight consecutive years, he added. By 2025, Shanghai aims to have 4.5% of its GDP devoted to research and development (R&D). Basic research would make up 12% of the city’s total R&D budget by then, Vice Mayor Wu said. To achieve these goals, the city will strengthen research in basic sciences and core technologies, attract more quality talent, facilitate reforms to fund and commercialize scientific output, and enhance international cooperation, he said. Wu said foreign talent and companies have contributed greatly to Shanghai’s technological rise. Foreign capital accounted for over 40% of R&D spending by large companies and industries in the city. At the end of August, there were around 500 foreign-funded R&D centers in the city, and the number is set to rise to 560 by the end of 2025, Wu said.
The Vice Mayor said the Shanghai municipal government will provide more financial services, stronger intellectual property protection, and greater convenience for foreign experts working and living in the city. Li Meng, Vice Minister of Science and Technology, said Shanghai plays a key role in researching strategic fields that are crucial for the nation’s socio-economic development, and is a key driver for China’s growth into an innovative country. The city houses 45 State Key Laboratories, ranging from information technology and artificial intelligence to advanced manufacturing, he said. Li added that the Ministry will support the city to play a bigger role in brain sciences, quantum communication, quantum computing and other major research initiatives. Shanghai is also becoming an international technology transfer and trading center, he added. Since the launch of the city’s Global Tech-Mall in June last year, the platform has attracted over 14 million patents, more than 4,000 registered technology companies, and a planned investment of CNY16.9 billion, the China Daily reports.
