China will focus on developing two or three world-class science
parks from the country's 53 national-level high-tech industrial
zones - commonly known as "science parks."
Minister of Science and Technology Xu Guanhua said yesterday in
Beijing that the government will build the high-tech zones as a
crucial part of the nation's innovation strategy.
Among the zones, 10 to 15 will be built into regional high-tech
innovation centers before 2010, he added.
At the National High-Tech Industry Development Zones meeting
which opened yesterday, Xu said the government will adopt more
favorable financing and tax policies to facilitate the growth of
high-tech enterprises, most of which are located in the 53 science
parks.
Ma Songde, vice-minister of science and technology, said the
ministry is now working with China Development Bank and the
Shenzhen Stock Exchange to create a better financing environment
for medium and small high-tech enterprises through a
pioneering-fund support plan made last year.
Favorable tax policies will also be given to domestic
enterprises that engage in technological innovation, Ma said.
At the meeting, State Councillor Chen Zhili criticized some
Chinese State-owned enterprises' reliance on importing high-tech
and the lack of self-innovation. She said only 30 percent of
China's enterprises engaged in research and innovation in 2003.
China built its first high-tech zone Zhongguancun Science Park
in Beijing in 1988.
(China Daily August 26, 2005)