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The Zhangjiang National Innovation Demonstration Zone in Shanghai, China's financial center that is aiming to become a global science and technology hub, is currently carrying out reform initiatives to not only develop innovations but to build an open and innovative environment of international influence.

"The zone attaches great importance to original innovation. It has always put innovation to the front of the industrial chain and is constantly promoting innovative results," said Ma Wengang, an official from the zone's administrative committee.

In recent years, the Zhangjiang zone has accelerated the integration of resources, promoted the development of emerging industries, improved its business environment and enhanced its independent research capabilities.

More than 80 percent of Shanghai's knowledge economy is under the management and support of the Zhangjiang zone. At 531 square kilometers, the zone has more than 70,000 science and technology enterprises and more than 1,400 research and development institutes.

The zone has also constructed a more complete emerging industries cluster, especially in biomedicine, which has facilities in R&D, technology transfers, production and services, and integrated circuits, where the zone has facilities in chip design, manufacturing, packaging, testing, equipment production and R&D.

Shanghai off ers foreign professionals high living standards and a sound business environment.

Friendly environment

Zhangjiang has made efforts to establish a friendly environment for living, conducting business and education.

It also offers talent cultivation and training facilities and services for intellectual property rights, credit management and financing for companies. More than 50 innovation centers from universities and enterprises have set up shop in the zone.

Zhangjiang is also working to cultivate high-level talent from home and abroad, setting up 18 incubation bases to help overseas professionals bring more high-tech projects to the zone.

The zone also launched a new entry/exit management system by working with the local public security administration to make it easier for overseas professionals to live and work in Shanghai.

In recent years, Zhangjiang has made remarkable achievements in a number of industries. It is currently one of the largest production and R&D bases for integrated circuits in the country.

The Pudong Software Park is a national-class industry park and an important part in Shanghai's plan to become an international science and technology hub. PHOTOS PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

The output of the integrated circuits industry in Shanghai — mostly based in Zhangjiang —accounts for one-third of the country's total and the number of enterprises in the local IC industry accounts for more than 40 percent of the national total.

Meanwhile, a batch of industry clusters have been formed in the manufacturing of communications equipment as well as in the sectors of nuclear power, new-energy vehicles, solar and wind power, energy conservation, environmental protection, aerospace, intelligent equipment, LED lighting and the Internet of Things.

The Zhangjiang zone also has one of the largest bases for biomedicine production and R&D as well as software development in the country.

Zhangjiang has also attracted media and entertainment companies. In recent years, total revenues from companies in the zone involved in video games, digital publishing, advertising, exhibition, Internet information services and modern design has reached 100 billion yuan ($15.3 billion) annually.

According to local officials, the zone has established a copyrights trading center and a platform for the protection, application and registration of copyrights.

zhuanti@chinadaily.com.cn