Zhangjiang Science City celebrates 30th anniversary
ZHANGJIANG SCIENCE City celebrated its 30th anniversary in July. From 17 square kilometers in July 1992 to the current planning area of 220 square kilometers, Zhangjiang in the Pudong New Area has blazed a trail of innovation.
In the past three decades, Zhangjiang has developed from a high-tech park to a demonstration zone and has become a landmark of science and innovation in Shanghai.
In the first half of 2022, Zhangjiang Science City reported an income of 505 billion yuan (US$74.67 billion), up 10 percent from a year earlier.
Industrial output grew 12.7 percent year on year to 159 billion yuan in the first half of this year, accounting for 9.3 percent of the city’s total. Industrial investment rose 22.3 percent to 9.6 billion yuan.
Twelve major scientific and technological infrastructure facilities have been built, under construction or are planned. Among them, the Shanghai Photon Science Facility Cluster is near completion.
Top scientific research institutions, such as Tsung-Dao Lee Institute, have opened in the area, while top-tier universities, including Fudan, Jiao Tong and Tongji, are planning high-level research institutions here.
More than 35,000 invention patents were authorized in Zhangjiang, and more than 1,500 Patent Cooperation Treaty patent applications were filed last year.
Of the 660-plus drugs now under development in Zhangjiang, more than half are class-1 novel drugs and 17 have been approved for marketing.
Major strategic scientific and technological projects are progressing smoothly, including the COMAC C919 and ARJ21 airliners. The Micius quantum satellite and Jiuzhang 2.0 photonic quantum computer prototype have been released.
Startups and entrepreneurs from home and abroad are flocking to Zhangjiang. It is now home to 23,000 enterprises, including 1,800 high-tech firms and 179 foreignfunded research and development centers.
The total revenue of the companies here has exceeded 1 trillion yuan, with an average annual growth of more than 10 percent.
With about 500,000 employees working in the area, Zhangjiang is exploring an international talent pilot zone by introducing more open and convenient human resource policies to attract overseas talented people.
It has taken the country’s lead to set up a service center for foreigners seeking permanent residence in China. From that center it has handed out the first batch of permanent residence cards for expats.
Zhangjiang has also spared no effort in intellectual property right protection. It has launched the first Intellectual Property Protection Center in China and the first patent alliance to protect key technologies.