To implement the "Several Opinions of the State Council on Promoting High-Quality Development of National High-Tech Industrial Development Zones" (State Council Document [2020] No. 7) andthe “Notice of the Ministry of Science and Technology on Issuing the Implementation Plan for the Special Action on Green Development in National High-Tech Industrial Development Zones” (Guokefa Huo [2021] No. 28), to accelerate the high-quality development of high-tech industrial development zones across the province (including national and provincial-level high-tech zones, hereinafter collectively referred to as “high-tech zones”), to further leverage the exemplary, leading, and radiating roles of high-tech zones, and to effectively support the comprehensive advancement of high-quality development and surpassing goals, the following implementation plan is hereby proposed.
I. General Requirements
(1) General Approach
Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we will thoroughly implement the spirit of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the second, third, fourth, and fifth plenary sessions of the 19th Central Committee,and earnestly implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speeches during his inspection tour of Fujian. In accordance with the work arrangements of the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government, we will take “scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening” and “developing high-tech industries and achieving industrialization” as our development directions. We will use deepening institutional and systemic reforms and fostering a favorable environment for innovation, entrepreneurship, and creation as our key drivers, focus on cultivating and developing innovative enterprises and industries, and take scientific and technological innovation as our core. We will align the innovation chain with the industrial chain and the industrial chain with the innovation chain to enhance the level of industrial modernization,adhering to green and low-carbon development, improving the regional innovation system, and building the High-Tech Zone into a demonstration zone for innovation-driven development and a pioneer zone for high-quality development.
(2) Development Goals
By 2025, the innovation capacity of high-tech zones across the province will have significantly improved, with continuous innovation in institutional mechanisms. The science and technology cities in Fuzhou, Xiamen, and Quanzhou will be substantially completed. The Self-Innovation Zone will collaborate with other high-tech zones within the province to establish a number of collaborative innovation platforms, and cities hosting provincial-level or higher high-tech zones will achieve full coverage.The industrial structure will be significantly optimized, with new business models and the new economy continuously emerging; the number of high-tech enterprises and industrial value-added will both double, and the pool of innovative enterprises will continue to expand. The development environment will be markedly improved, with a more streamlined and efficient management system; an innovation system supporting and driving high-quality development will take shape at an accelerated pace, and the national ranking of provincial-level high-tech zones will rise significantly. We will adhere to green development, promote industrial transformation, and build green, low-carbon ecological parks.
By 2035, a number of high-tech parks with national influence will be established. The Fuzhou, Xiamen, and Quanzhou Science and Technology Cities will be fully developed, with more comprehensive and efficient innovation functions. The concentration of various innovation factors will significantly increase, and the industrial foundation and the modernization level of industrial chains will be substantially enhanced. Major industries will move into the mid-to-high end of the national value chain, and the modernization of the park governance system and governance capabilities will be achieved.
II. Leading the High-Quality Development of High-Tech Zones Through the Self-Innovation Zone
(3) Planning and Construction of the Fuzhou-Xiamen-Quanzhou Science Cities. Focusing on the construction of a science and technology innovation corridor centered on the Self-Innovation Zone, we will deepen the development of Fuzhou, Xiamen, and Quanzhou as innovative cities. Relying on the Fuzhou High-Tech Zone and Fuzhou University Town, we will promote the construction of the Southeast China (Fujian) Science City in Fuzhou; leveraging innovative resources such as Xiamen University, the Jiageng Innovation Laboratory, and the Tong’an “Three Valleys,” we will build the Xiamen Future Science and Technology City—a place conducive to living, working, and innovation;Supported by the introduction of the National Time Service Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, we will build the Quanzhou Spatio-Temporal Science and Technology Innovation Base. The development of science and technology cities such as the Southeast China (Fujian) Science City, Xiamen Future Science and Technology City, and Quanzhou Spatio-Temporal Science and Technology Innovation Base will be incorporated as key performance indicators into the annual assessment of the Self-Innovation Zone. Science and technology cities demonstrating significant achievements will be awarded 10 million yuan, with funds continuing to be allocated from the provincial special fund for the construction of the Self-Innovation Zone.Land quotas for major platforms within these science and technology cities will be guaranteed, and the local governments where they are located will prioritize securing land for their supporting facilities. Eligible regions will be supported in applying to establish comprehensive bonded zones based on national-level high-tech zones, in accordance with relevant procedures. (Responsible Units: People’s Governments of all prefecture-level cities, Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Zone Administrative Committee, Provincial Department of Science and Technology, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Commerce, Department of Industry and Information Technology, Development and Reform Commission, and Department of Finance)
(4) Leverage the demonstration and leading role of the Self-Innovation Zone. Strengthen the pilot implementation of policies and further enhance the driving capacity of the Fuzhou-Xiamen-Quanzhou High-Tech Zone as the core area of the Self-Innovation Zone.Increase support for collaborative innovation through provincial special funds allocated for the construction of the Self-Innovation Zone, and support collaborative innovation initiatives among the three sub-zones of the Self-Innovation Zone, as well as between these sub-zones and universities, research institutions, and enterprises in other high-tech zones within the province. The funding for collaborative innovation will be increased to 50 million yuan. Guide other high-tech zones in the province, particularly those located in the former revolutionary base areas, to actively integrate into the construction of the Self-Innovation Zone, thereby supporting and driving the development of the two major coordinated development zones in Northeast and Southwest Fujian.All high-tech zones shall proactively replicate and promote relevant reform pilot policies from the Self-Innovation Zone and the Pilot Free Trade Zone, and encourage enhanced coordination and cooperation between high-tech zones and these zones. (Responsible Units: People’s Governments of all prefecture-level cities, Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Zone Administrative Committee, Provincial Department of Science and Technology, Development and Reform Commission, and Department of Finance)
(5) Promote full coverage of high-tech zones across all prefecture-level cities. Strengthen the primary responsibility of local governments for high-tech zone development, encourage and promote the establishment of high-tech zones in eligible counties (cities, districts), and prioritize support for the establishment of a high-tech zone in Ningde City to achieve full coverage of high-tech zones across all prefecture-level cities in the province. Support industrial parks in boosting innovative development through the creation of provincial-level high-tech zones, and support traditional industrial parks in accelerating transformation and upgrading through the creation of provincial-level high-tech zones.Accelerate the standardized development of high-tech zones and continue to promote the research and establishment of a batch of public science and technology service platforms at key nodes of industrial development within these zones. Support eligible localities in establishing national or provincial-level defense science and technology industry military-civilian integration innovation demonstration bases based on high-tech zones. (Responsible Units: People’s Governments of all prefecture-level cities, Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Zone Administrative Committee, Provincial Department of Science and Technology, Department of Commerce, Development and Reform Commission, Department of Industry and Information Technology, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Ecology and Environment, Office of Defense Science and Technology Industry)
III. Accelerate the Cultivation and Expansion of Innovative Industrial Clusters
(6) Accelerate the construction of new infrastructure. Promote the realization of “dual-gigabit” networks (gigabit fiber + 5G) and deep coverage of mobile IoT in high-tech zones to effectively meet the high-quality network usage needs of high-tech zone management and enterprise transformation and upgrading, which require low latency, high bandwidth, wide coverage, and customization.Strengthen the construction of green municipal infrastructure. Support the simultaneous planning and construction of new infrastructure projects—including 5G base stations, industrial internet, artificial intelligence, smart sensing, and the Internet of Things—within the High-Tech Zone and provincial-level high-tech zones currently under development. Eligible projects will be prioritized as provincial key projects and receive support in land allocation and approval processes. (Responsible Units: Provincial Development and Reform Commission, Department of Natural Resources, Provincial Communications Administration, Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology)
(7) Cultivate and Expand Emerging Industries. Accelerate the cultivation of leading enterprises in emerging industries, implement a series of flagship major projects and new technology application demonstration projects, and build diversified application scenarios. Attract advanced technological achievements from domestic and international universities, research institutes, and enterprises to be “first launched and tested” in high-tech zones. Support enterprises in high-tech zones to continue implementing supporting projects under the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ STS Program, accelerate the transformation of scientific and technological achievements, and foster emerging industries.Deeply advance the “strengthening, supplementing, and extending industrial chains” initiatives for emerging industries such as next-generation information technology, high-end equipment, new materials, new energy, biotechnology and new pharmaceuticals, energy conservation and environmental protection, and marine high-tech. Cultivate and form several strategic emerging industrial clusters led by technology-leading enterprises, featuring independent and controllable core technologies, and enabling integrated development among large, medium, and small enterprises.Focusing on new technology fields such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, the Internet of Everything, quantum technology, brain-inspired science, flexible electronics, high-efficiency energy storage, and autonomous driving, we will accelerate the industrial application of new technologies and products to foster future industries. (Responsible Units: People’s Governments of all prefecture-level cities, Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Zone Administrative Committee, Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology, Development and Reform Commission, Science and Technology Department, and Office of National Defense Science and Technology Industry)
(8) Expand and Strengthen Distinctive Leading Industries.Building on the resource endowments and foundational conditions of high-tech zones, we will rationally plan and layout key industries and identify primary development directions. Each high-tech zone should strive to develop 1–2 leading industries that possess distinct regional characteristics, serve as models and leaders, and exert a radiating and driving effect across the province. We will upgrade and enhance competitive industries, promote the extension of industrial chains, the layout of innovation chains, the supplementation of service chains, and the enhancement of value chains, thereby creating agglomeration effects and brand advantages to build high-tech zones with distinctive regional industrial characteristics.Deeply promote the “Internet Plus Advanced Manufacturing” model to facilitate the digital, networked, and intelligent transformation of enterprises. (Responsible Units: People’s Governments of all prefecture-level cities, Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Zone Administrative Committee, Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology, Development and Reform Commission, and Department of Science and Technology)
IV. Building High-Level Science and Technology Innovation Platforms
(9) Implement the High-Level Science and Technology Innovation Platform Construction Project. Establish the first batch of provincial innovation laboratories under new systems and mechanisms, and promote the creation of provincial innovation laboratories in fields such as biomedicine, marine high-tech, and flexible electronics.Support the construction of national and provincial key laboratories, engineering research centers, enterprise technology centers, industrial technology research institutes, clinical medical research centers, and applied mathematics centers, among others, to leverage the innovative, leading, supporting, and service functions of these platforms. Support high-tech zones in establishing market-oriented new R&D institutions, public technology service platforms for leading industries, and pilot-scale engineering service platforms for scientific and technological achievements, with leading enterprises and high-tech enterprises as the core, in collaboration with universities and research institutions.A one-time reward of 500,000 yuan will be granted to institutions newly designated as provincial-level new R&D institutions. For national and provincial-level technology transfer institutions in high-tech zones with annual cumulative technology transaction volumes exceeding 2 million yuan, a reward of 3% of the total transaction value will be provided, with a maximum annual reward of 1 million yuan per institution. (Responsible Units: Provincial Department of Science and Technology, Development and Reform Commission, Department of Industry and Information Technology, Department of Education, Department of Finance; People’s Governments of Fuzhou, Xiamen, Quanzhou, and Ningde)
(10) Build New Innovation and Entrepreneurship Incubation Platforms. Revise the “Fujian Provincial Science and Technology Enterprise Incubator Management Measures.” Improve the innovation, entrepreneurship, and creation service system in high-tech zones, promote the construction of a number of science and technology enterprise incubators or maker spaces in high-tech zones, and guide universities and research institutions to jointly build university science and technology parks with high-tech zones. For those recognized as provincial-level science and technology enterprise incubators (including university science and technology parks) within high-tech zones, a one-time reward of 1 million yuan shall be granted;and a one-time reward of 1.5 million yuan for those recognized as national-level science and technology enterprise incubators. Conduct dynamic evaluations of science and technology enterprise incubators and co-working spaces at the provincial level and above as appropriate, and award incentives based on merit. Support High-Tech Zones in establishing distinctive national innovation and entrepreneurship platforms, such as those supported by science and technology resources or led by high-end talent. (Responsible Units: Provincial Department of Science and Technology, Development and Reform Commission, Department of Finance, Department of Industry and Information Technology, Department of Education)
(11) Promote the development of an intellectual property protection system. Continue to build the “IP Innovation Fujian” brand and improve related services. Provide a priority examination channel for intellectual property applications related to the high-tech zones’ leading industries to achieve rapid examination, rapid rights confirmation, and rapid rights protection.Encourage high-tech zones to establish an intellectual property utilization system led by enterprises and involving multiple stakeholders such as universities and research institutions, thereby creating intellectual property-intensive industrial parks. Promote the formulation and revision of standards in key areas such as planning and construction, enterprise manufacturing, and technical support services within high-tech zones, and develop a set of standards for key areas of industrial (industrial park) construction. [Responsible Units: Provincial Market Regulation Bureau (Intellectual Property Bureau), Department of Science and Technology, Development and Reform Commission, Department of Industry and Information Technology]
V. Accelerating the Stimulation of Enterprise Innovation Vitality
(12) Actively foster science and technology-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Support scientific and technical personnel in bringing their research achievements to the High-Tech Zone for innovation and entrepreneurship, and accelerate the growth of science and technology-based SMEs through means such as mass innovation, crowdsourcing, mutual support, and crowdfunding. Organize the “Torch Science and Technology Achievement Express” initiative in the High-Tech Zone to promote the aggregation of various resources within the zone and facilitate the deep integration and precise matching of technology, capital, talent, and industry.Support technology-based SMEs in strengthening their core businesses, accelerating specialized and refined development, and building competitive and influential products and brands. (Responsible Units: Provincial Department of Science and Technology, Development and Reform Commission, Department of Industry and Information Technology)
(13) Support the development and expansion of high-tech enterprises. Implement the “Double Growth” special campaign for high-tech enterprises to promote the concentration of innovation factors within enterprises and foster more “unicorns” and specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative enterprises. Establish and improve policy coordination and linkage mechanisms to effectively implement policies such as additional deductions for R&D expenses and income tax reductions for high-tech enterprises. Improve incentive mechanisms for corporate R&D investment to guide enterprises in increasing their R&D spending, thereby driving a significant increase in the number of large-scale industrial enterprises engaged in R&D activities and possessing dedicated R&D institutions.(Responsible Units: Provincial Department of Science and Technology, Development and Reform Commission, Department of Industry and Information Technology, Department of Finance, Fujian Provincial Tax Bureau, Xiamen Municipal Tax Bureau)
(14) Enhance Enterprise R&D Capabilities. Focusing on national strategic technologies and the province’s key common industrial technologies, frontier-leading technologies, modern engineering technologies, and disruptive technologies, we will establish and improve a system for catalogs (databases) of key industrial R&D priorities and enrich the directory of major collaborative innovation projects involving industry, academia, and research institutions in key industries. We will support relevant enterprises and institutions within high-tech zones to actively participate in national and provincial major science and technology special projects, key R&D programs, and science foundation projects, and to carry out joint research and innovation efforts.Enterprises in the High-Tech Zone that purchase major scientific and technological achievements for industrialization will be granted a reward of up to 30% of the actual amount paid for the technology transaction, with a maximum of 5 million yuan. Implement mechanisms such as the “challenge-based recruitment” system to focus on overcoming a batch of “chokepoint” technologies. Establish mechanisms for collaborative innovation and the sharing of information and facilities between the military and civilian sectors, promote the research and development of dual-use technologies, and cultivate a group of “specialized, refined, strong, and excellent” innovation entities in military-civilian integration.(Responsible Units: Provincial Department of Science and Technology, Development and Reform Commission, Department of Industry and Information Technology, Department of Finance, Office of National Defense Science and Technology Industry)
(15) Attract and Cultivate Top-Tier Innovation Talent. Support enterprises in high-tech zones in collaborating with domestic universities, vocational colleges, and technical schools through various channels to cultivate high-level and highly skilled talent. Support high-tech zones in recruiting talent and introducing international innovation teams from around the world. Support enterprises in high-tech zones in applying for national and provincial talent recruitment programs. Foreign high-end talent working in high-tech zone enterprises shall not be subject to age, educational background, or work experience restrictions when applying for work permits in China and may apply for talent visas in accordance with regulations.For foreign professionals working in enterprises within the High-Tech Zones, restrictions on age, educational background, or work experience may be appropriately relaxed where necessary. We encourage eligible High-Tech Zones to explore position management systems and establish and improve distribution incentive and evaluation mechanisms that align with practical needs. (Responsible Units: People’s Governments of all prefecture-level cities, Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Zone Administrative Committee, Provincial Departments of Human Resources and Social Security, Science and Technology, Education, and Industry and Information Technology; Provincial Party Committee Talent Office and Institutional Reform Office)
VI. Accelerating Open and Collaborative Innovation
(16) Strengthen regional innovation cooperation and exchange. High-tech zones are encouraged to strengthen cooperation with domestic and international universities and research institutions, renowned domestic science and technology parks, and the Fuzhou University Town to jointly build a number of innovation parks, science and technology achievement incubation bases, and specialized technical service platforms. Efforts should be made to advance the construction of the Sanming Zhongguancun Science and Technology Park, the Fujian Provincial Center and Putian Sub-center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ STS (Science and Technology Service Network) Program, thereby forming a regional innovation landscape characterized by division of labor, collaboration, and complementary strengths.Leverage the role of the China Academy of Engineering and Science and Technology Development Strategy Institute, established jointly with the Chinese Academy of Engineering, to strengthen collaborative research efforts and promote the early commercialization and implementation of scientific and technological achievements by academicians from both academies and their teams within enterprises in high-tech zones. Promote cooperation and exchange among high-tech zones within the province to enhance the level of development and construction of high-tech zones. Support high-tech zones in conducting school-enterprise cooperation with vocational colleges (including technical schools) to jointly establish vocational and technical skills enhancement centers.(Responsible Units: Provincial Department of Science and Technology, Development and Reform Commission, Department of Industry and Information Technology, Department of Education, Department of Human Resources and Social Security, Provincial Association for Science and Technology, People’s Governments of all prefecture-level cities, and Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Zone Administrative Committee)
(17) Expand the scope of international scientific and technological cooperation. Encourage high-tech zones to strengthen talent exchanges, technical cooperation, and cross-border collaboration with innovative and advanced countries and regions, and promote leading enterprises to establish “innovation outposts” such as R&D centers overseas.Support high-tech zones in intensifying efforts to attract Fortune Global 500 companies, global industry leaders, and international innovative enterprises, and actively establish international innovation parks. Support Xiamen in building the BRICS Partnership on the New Industrial Revolution Innovation Base, and strengthen scientific and technological innovation cooperation with countries along the Belt and Road and BRICS nations. (Responsible Units: Provincial Department of Science and Technology, Development and Reform Commission, Department of Industry and Information Technology, Department of Commerce; People’s Governments of all prefecture-level cities; Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Zone Administrative Committee)
VII. Deepening Institutional and Mechanism Reforms in High-Tech Zones
(18) Deepen the reform of streamlining administration, delegating powers, and improving services. Establish a system of authorized item lists, granting national-level high-tech zones corresponding provincial and municipal-level economic management authorities in areas such as science and technology innovation, talent recruitment, market access, and project approval. Delegate or entrust matters within the scope of provincial management authority—such as the filing of enterprise investment projects—to national-level high-tech zones (excluding the filing of investment projects for complete vehicle manufacturing).For provincial-level science and technology program projects, national-level high-tech zones that possess independent fiscal management authority, clearly defined and independent jurisdictional boundaries, and established science and technology management bodies shall be granted the administrative authority of county (city, district) science and technology administrative departments. Support national-level high-tech zones in appropriately increasing the floor area ratio (FAR) of construction land, provided that such increases comply with planning requirements and ensure workplace safety; the upper limit of the FAR for individual industrial projects may be raised to 3.0.(Responsible Units: Provincial Development and Reform Commission, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Commerce, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Industry and Information Technology, Provincial Party Committee Talent Office)
(19) Optimize the management system. Revise and improve the “Administrative Measures for Fujian Provincial High-Tech Industrial Development Zones (Trial)” to further standardize the full-process management of provincial-level high-tech zones, including establishment, changes, and evaluation. Explore the establishment of a direct communication channel between high-tech zones and government departments of prefecture-level cities. Strengthen management of high-tech zones, optimize their internal management structures, implement flat management, consolidate internal departments, adopt a large-department system, and reasonably allocate the functions of internal departments.Deepen reforms regarding the rights to use, dispose of, and derive benefits from scientific and technological achievements. Pilot initiatives to promote the construction of shared “Staff Homes” within high-tech zones. (Responsible Units: Provincial Department of Science and Technology, Provincial Party Committee Office of Institutional Reform, Provincial Departments of Human Resources and Social Security, Finance, and Industry and Information Technology, Provincial Federation of Trade Unions)
(20) Strengthen science and technology financial services. Encourage high-tech zones to establish specialized operating companies with independent legal personality to carry out diversified financing models such as equity and debt financing. Actively utilize various direct financing tools, including initial public offerings (IPOs), follow-on offerings, and bond issuances, to support the transformation and development of enterprises in high-tech zones. Support commercial banks in establishing technology-focused branches in eligible high-tech zones. Support financial institutions in providing intellectual property investment and financing services within high-tech zones. Explore a technology-focused guarantee and investment system involving cooperation among guarantee institutions, venture capital firms, and banks.(Responsible Units: Provincial Financial Regulatory Bureau, Department of Finance, Department of Science and Technology, Fujian Banking and Insurance Regulatory Bureau, Xiamen Banking and Insurance Regulatory Bureau)
VIII. Strengthening Organizational Management
(21) Strengthen Organizational Leadership. Uphold the Party’s unified leadership over the work of high-tech zones. Governments at all levels must earnestly assume primary responsibility for the development of high-tech zones, strengthen the composition of leadership teams and the development of the cadre corps, provide sufficient policy support—including fiscal and land resources—to high-tech zones, and enhance the coordination of planning, construction, industrial development, and innovation resources within these zones. The Provincial Party Committee Organization Department, in conjunction with the Provincial Department of Science and Technology, shall strengthen support for the development of the cadre and talent corps in national-level high-tech zones, and enhance scientific and technological innovation and governance within these zones.All high-tech zones, particularly the Fuzhou-Xiamen-Quanzhou National High-Tech Zone, must intensify their pioneering efforts and explore replicable and scalable best practices; they must strictly implement the responsibility system for work safety and environmental protection, and effectively strengthen supervision in these areas; they must establish and improve incentive mechanisms and error-tolerance and correction mechanisms to foster a positive atmosphere that encourages initiative and innovative development.(Responsible Units: People’s Governments of all prefecture-level cities, Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Zone Administrative Committee, Organization Department of the Provincial Party Committee, Provincial Department of Science and Technology, Provincial Department of Commerce, Provincial Development and Reform Commission, Provincial Department of Finance, Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology, Provincial Department of Natural Resources, Provincial Department of Emergency Management, Provincial Department of Ecology and Environment)
(22) Incentivizing National-Level High-Tech Zones to Strive for Higher Rankings. Efforts should be made to steadily improve the national ranking of national-level high-tech zones in terms of comprehensive strength, and the development of high-tech zones should be incorporated into the annual performance evaluation of local governments. National-level high-tech zones with excellent evaluation results will be publicly commended and receive increased policy and financial support. For national-level high-tech zones that enter the top 100 in the national ranking, a reward of 1 million yuan will be granted for each position gained, with a maximum of 3 million yuan;For others, a reward of 500,000 yuan will be granted for each rank improvement, with a maximum of 1.5 million yuan, to be allocated for the innovative development of the high-tech zone. Those with poor evaluation results will be required to rectify issues through measures such as formal discussions and public notifications. Provincial-level high-tech zones will be subject to assessments at appropriate times based on their overall development. (Responsible Units: People’s Governments of all prefecture-level cities, Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Zone Administrative Committee, Provincial Department of Science and Technology, Department of Finance, Department of Commerce, Development and Reform Commission, Department of Natural Resources, and Department of Ecology and Environment)
