How China's Coordinated Regional Development Fuels Technological Innovation

The Chinese government has been emphasizing coordinated regional development to bolster technological innovation across the nation. This approach has led to significant advancements, particularly in major urban clusters, namely the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Regional Development Focus

China has intentionally shifted its innovation landscape from being concentrated in select cities to a more dispersed model that fosters regional collaboration. For instance, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area, often referred to as the Jing-Jin-Ji region, exemplifies this strategy. Beijing has taken the lead by leveraging its status as a technological hub, while simultaneously enhancing collaboration with Tianjin and Hebei. This inter-city teamwork facilitates continuous innovation growth in the area.

Since the introduction of the coordinated development strategy in February 2014, Jing-Jin-Ji has seen the establishment of 14 innovation platforms and seven national advanced manufacturing hubs. By 2024, this region’s combined GDP is projected to reach approximately 11.5 trillion yuan (about $1.6 trillion).

Moreover, within the Zhongguancun Science Park in Xiong'an New Area, 11 Beijing-based platforms focused on technology and research have merged into a one-stop service system. This integration allows businesses easy access to high-quality innovation resources without leaving the area.

Broader Impacts in Other Regions

Contrary to what might be assumed, the shift towards broader regional innovation is not limited to Beijing. The Yangtze River Delta, which includes Shanghai and several provinces such as Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui, is rooted in its rich industrial history and currently exhibits a robust technological innovation capability. This region accounts for over 30% of China's high-tech enterprises. One significant highlight is the National Innovation Center, which collaborates with over 200 universities and research institutions, creating joint innovation centers with nearly 600 leading enterprises.

In southern China, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) has seen a remarkable surge in technological innovation capacity, supported by nine major infrastructure projects focused on technological development. A total of 31 joint laboratories have been established within the GBA, laying a solid foundation for future technological advancements.

Quality Development Through Innovation

Highlighting the importance of coordinated regional development, President Xi Jinping has traveled throughout China to lead discussions on how different regions can better leverage their unique advantages and foster collaborative gains. Recent years have seen the deepening implementation of the coordinated development strategy, whereby regions like Jing-Jin-Ji, the Yangtze Delta, and the GBA play critical roles in elevating national innovation and quality development.

The document indicates that the GBA, despite making up less than 0.6% of the nation’s landmass, generates one-ninth of the country's total economic output, positioning it as one of the most dynamic and open economic zones in China. In its pursuit of emerging sectors such as low-altitude economy and bio-manufacturing, the GBA is set to establish five additional industrial clusters, each valued at over 100 billion yuan (about $14.2 billion), and promote the intelligent transformation of key industries like electronics and high-end equipment manufacturing.

During a visit to Guangdong last November, Xi actively encouraged the province to focus on cultivating quality new productive forces while enhancing the integration of technological and industrial innovation. A commitment to developing international innovation centers in Beijing, Shanghai, and within the GBA underscores China's strategic evolution toward regional coordination in innovation efforts.

According to Gong Chao, a researcher at the National Innovation and Development Institute of Tongji University, the expansion from individual urban centers to broader urban clusters represents a strategic evolution, showing that China's approach to building innovation centers is increasingly focused on regional connectivity.

For more detailed insights, visit CGTN's article.