Editing by Kate Yuan

China’s central government issued a new guideline to turn Pudong New Area into a global example of innovation, especially in AI, IC, and life science industries. The State Council Information Office announced this at a mid-July press conference. 

The guideline gives Pudong New Area five strategic roles: “The pioneer of higher-level reform and opening up, the benchmark for independent innovation and development, the functional highland for global resource allocation, the leader for expanding domestic demand, and the model for modern urban governance.”

At the press conference, Xu Jing, Director-General of Department of Strategy and Planning, Ministry of Science and Technology (MST), said MST would support accelerating Pudong New Area’s construction as an international level center of technology.  

He also referred to Zhangjiang - a key technology area in Pudong developed since the 1990s. “We will support Zhangjiang National Innovation Demonstration Zone’s leading innovation role in Shanghai and even the Yangtze River Delta to enhance regional innovation capabilities, ” Xu said. 

He added that Pudong would be encouraged to continue organizing Pujiang Innovation Forum, the World Laureates Forum, and the World AI Conference, facilitating the exchange and innovation cooperation among top scientific and technological talents.

Pudong New Area can also start the first trial of technology reforms. Universities and scientific research institutes can establish technology transfer centers and enjoy greater autonomy in reviewing and managing foreign talents coming to Shanghai.