IN the government work report delivered at the first session of 13th National People’s Congress, Premier Li Keqiang said China will do more in implementing the innovation-driven development strategy and continue making the Chinese economy more innovative and competitive.

Enterprises are encouraged to head up major science and technology programs, and collaborate on innovation research with institutes and universities.

In an interview with Shenzhen Special Zone Daily, Xiong Jianming, Shenzhen deputy of the NPC and chairman of China Fangda Group, shared his thoughts on how innovation is inherent to the growth of Shenzhen enterprises. “Without the impetus of innovation, an enterprise is doomed to fail,” said Xiong.

Xiong started the group with 30,000 yuan (US$4,730) 20 years ago in Shenzhen, and now the enterprise has become a leading company in the industry with many patented technologies.

For this year’s NPC session, Xiong brought a proposal on strengthening support for structural, technological, managerial, organizational and institutional innovations in enterprises, enhancing industrial guidance and enhancing support for national brands.

“Why does Shenzhen have so many outstanding entrepreneurs? I think it is closely related to the city’s inclusive and favorable environment, which encourages innovation and allows failure. An enterprise can’t go far and remain healthy and stable, if its development isn’t driven by innovation,” said Xiong.

The good environment for innovation is a key factor in Shenzhen’s vigorous economic development. In 2016, the city formulated a package of policies to improve enterprise competitiveness, promote innovation in science and technology and development in higher learning education and public health, give priority to talent introduction and improve housing policies for talents.

Based on these policies, Shenzhen has further expedited the construction of a demonstration city that integrates finance with technology and formed a new and complete innovation system that combines basic science research, technological innovation, industrial transformation and financial support.

The major science and technology institutions and innovation platforms based on and backed by universities, research institutes and enterprises are the key factor through which the city can promote innovation-driven development strategies, and the major pillars for the city in becoming an international technology and industrial innovation center, as well as a modern, internationalized innovation based city.

Statistics show that Shenzhen built eight major science and technology facilities, three institutes of basic scientific research, five entrepreneurial innovation centers and seven overseas innovation centers in 2017.

The city also instituted 11 research-type institutions and 195 innovation incubators.

In 2018, the city will promote the construction of Phase II of the National Supercomputing Center, Phase II of the National Gene Bank, the Cyberspace Science and Technology Lab and the Health Science Lab.

Shenzhen will have 100 new innovation incubators and carriers including labs at national and provincial levels. In addition, the city will unveil measures to encourage foreign investment in technological research and build at least 10 new types of research institutes. 

(Han Ximin)