To promote the cluster-based development of future industries, foster new forms of productive forces tailored to local conditions, proactively seize the initiative in future development, and build new competitive advantages in the industrial sector, these Implementation Guidelines are formulated in accordance with the “Guiding Opinions of the Provincial Government on Accelerating the Cultivation and Development of Future Industries” (Su Zheng Fa [2023] No. 104), and in light of the actual conditions of this city.
I. Approach and Objectives
Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we will seize the major opportunities presented by the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation. Taking the joint construction of the Yangtze River Estuary Industrial Innovation and Green Development Collaborative Zone as an opportunity, we will adhere to a combination of market-driven forces and government guidance. Building upon our industrial foundation, resource endowments, and locational advantages, we will strategically deploy six major future industries and focus on specific segments of the science and technology innovation sector.we will strive to promote the equity-based allocation of science and technology funds, the specialization of industrial parks, the vertical integration of industrial investment, the marketization of innovation platforms, and the professionalization of science and technology investment promotion. We will achieve breakthroughs in cutting-edge technologies, accelerate the industrialization process, enhance the distinctiveness of Nantong’s industries, and make every effort to build a hub for future industry innovation in the Yangtze River Delta.
Through five years of dedicated effort, we will essentially establish a future industry ecosystem characterized by continuously advancing technological capabilities, increasingly distinctive industrial parks, significantly enhanced economies of scale, and scientifically robust resource support, thereby providing a vital foundation for building a modern industrial city at the forefront of science and technology.
——Continuous Advancement in Technological Capabilities. Strengthen the integration of science, technology, and industry; attract a cohort of high-level strategic scientists and entrepreneurs; establish a series of innovation consortia; achieve breakthroughs in 20 key future technologies annually; and foster a wave of innovative achievements that fill domestic gaps and exert influence both domestically and internationally.
— Distinctive features of industrial parks will be further highlighted. We will establish more than 10 specialized future industry parks characterized by differentiated development and complementary competition. Each specialized park will construct and put into use specialized science and technology innovation facilities covering an area of over 100,000 square meters. More than 200 new science and technology innovation projects will be established annually, and more than 1,000 master’s and doctoral graduates specializing in innovation and entrepreneurship will be recruited each year.
— Significant enhancement of economies of scale. Optimize the collaborative innovation mechanism among large, medium, and small enterprises; attract and cultivate more than 20 leading enterprises in future industry chains; foster more than 20 (potential) unicorn companies; and form 3–5 future industry innovation clusters with a scale of 10 billion yuan or more.
— Scientific and robust resource support. Attract and cultivate more than 10 equity investment funds focused on future industries, with a total committed capital exceeding 5 billion yuan; create more than 5 typical application scenarios for future technologies annually; establish more than 5 market-oriented science and technology innovation platforms annually; and build an industrial ecosystem featuring “comprehensive elements, diverse scenarios, and superior services.”
II. Development Priorities
(1) Deploying Six Major Future Industries. Leveraging industrial strengths in new materials, high-end equipment, new energy, and biomedicine, we will rationally plan, precisely cultivate, and develop future industries in a complementary manner. We will prioritize the six major future industry sectors—Future Aerospace, Future Marine, Future Energy, Future Materials, Future Communications, and Future Health—while planning and deploying cutting-edge future industries.
1. Future Aerospace. Prioritize the development of low-altitude economy and commercial space sectors. For the low-altitude economy, focus on product technologies such as low-altitude aircraft, flight control systems, and airborne situational awareness equipment. For commercial space, focus on structural components such as aviation transparent parts, ground support equipment such as space launch tracking and control support systems, and R&D and manufacturing technologies for rocket engines and major structural sections.
2. Future Oceans. Prioritize the development of deep-sea and offshore equipment. Building on the existing foundation of the shipbuilding and offshore engineering industries, the development of deep-sea and offshore equipment will focus on technologies for marine renewable energy, marine scientific research, deep-sea mineral resource development, and the extraction of marine natural gas hydrates. Closely monitor cutting-edge technologies in offshore engineering equipment, marine vessels, marine renewable energy, marine pharmaceuticals and bioproducts, and maritime communications to expand the scope of future marine economic development.
3. Future Energy.Prioritize perovskite tandem solar cells, hydrogen energy, and new energy storage technologies. For hydrogen energy, advance the R&D and manufacturing of core components and key equipment, including hydrogen recirculation pumps, membrane electrodes, bipolar plates, high-efficiency catalysts, proton exchange membranes, and control systems. For new energy storage, expand electrochemical storage approaches and develop mechanical storage (compressed air storage, gravitational storage, flywheel storage, etc.), electromagnetic storage, and hydrogen storage technologies.
4. Future Materials. Prioritize areas such as cutting-edge new materials and third-generation semiconductors. Leveraging platforms such as the CNPC New Materials Innovation Center, the development of cutting-edge new materials will focus on high-performance fibers and composites, advanced metallic materials, nanomaterials, and carbon-based materials (graphene, carbon nanotubes, etc.).In third-generation semiconductors, we will develop wide-bandgap semiconductor materials primarily based on silicon carbide and gallium nitride, while also laying the groundwork for ultra-wide-bandgap semiconductor materials such as gallium oxide and diamond.
5. Future Communications. Prioritize advanced communications and general artificial intelligence. In advanced communications, develop technologies such as 6G, satellite internet, and future networks. In general artificial intelligence, advance technologies including large-scale model design and construction, training and iteration, and optimization and alignment, while also expanding into computing power networks, cloud computing and big data, cybersecurity, and domestic IT innovation.
6. Future Health. Prioritize areas such as cell and gene therapies and synthetic biology. In cell and gene therapies, develop technologies including high-throughput gene sequencing and whole-genome synthetic products. In synthetic biology, develop technologies such as quantitative synthesis, the design and construction of biological component libraries, cell design, and high-throughput screening.
We will closely track global technological frontiers, grasp future industrial transformation trends, and target cutting-edge fields such as quantum technology, humanoid robots, and advanced nuclear energy. We will conduct preliminary research on uncertain future technologies through multiple directions and pathways, striving to change lanes and seize the initiative in key sub-sectors to cultivate a new batch of growth points for future industries.
(2) Focus on specific segments of the science and technology innovation sector. Target growing future industries characterized by broad market scope, significant potential, and promising prospects,where technology and industry are accelerating their integration. We will leverage our city’s comparative advantages—such as a solid foundation in R&D and abundant application scenarios—to concentrate efforts, pool resources, and integrate policies. We will prioritize the development of several key innovation sectors, including the low-altitude economy, deep-sea and offshore equipment, new energy storage, third-generation semiconductors, general artificial intelligence, cell and gene technologies, and synthetic biology, with the goal of pioneering a cohort of key technologies, application scenarios, and leading enterprises possessing core competitiveness.
1. Low-altitude economy. Strengthen research and development of core technologies such as electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, tiltrotor aircraft,extended-endurance flight control, low-altitude spectrum management, swarm communication networking, low-altitude perception and control systems, low-altitude intelligent connectivity systems, and new aviation fuel cells. We will build urban air mobility infrastructure, establish a network of low-altitude air routes along coastal, riverine, and inland waterways, cultivate specialized talent, expand the scale of low-altitude equipment manufacturing, and develop supporting services such as airworthiness certification, inspection and testing, maintenance and support, professional training, and scenario architecture.
2. Deep-sea and offshore equipment. Conduct research on deep-sea access, exploration, and operation technologies and equipment. Leveraging innovation platforms such as the Nantong Marine Research Institute at Southeast University and the Provincial Innovation Center for Ship and Marine Engineering Equipment Technology, develop underwater visual perception and underwater navigation and control technologies; create an intelligent marine engineering management system platform; construct major scientific infrastructure for polar and extreme environments; and research and develop advanced deep-sea environmental exploration equipment and its key modules (components).
3. New Energy Storage. Building on the existing energy storage industry foundation, pilot projects for “offshore wind power + energy storage” and “photovoltaic + energy storage” will be launched. The electrochemical energy storage route will be expanded, and key enterprises will be supported in developing new technologies and products such as solid-state batteries, sodium-ion batteries, and flow batteries. Frontier technologies in energy storage fields such as mechanical and hydrogen storage will be developed, with a focus on attracting and nurturing key enterprises and exploring the construction of a number of demonstration projects.
4. Third-Generation Semiconductors. Strengthen R&D on the preparation of large-size silicon carbide and gallium nitride single-crystal substrates and epitaxial wafers; promote the development of high-end precision equipment such as crystal growth furnaces and epitaxial furnaces; achieve independent breakthroughs in key control and automotive-grade IC design, manufacturing, and packaging/testing technologies; establish a multi-point presence in the automotive-grade chip sector; and advance the application of products such as power electronic devices, microwave and RF devices, and optoelectronic devices.
5. General Artificial Intelligence. Actively develop the computing power industry; support areas such as the Nantong Innovation Zone in accelerating the construction of related new infrastructure to expedite the formation of a computing power industry ecosystem. Build high-quality multimodal Chinese datasets to promote innovation in AI applications. Support R&D into key core technologies for large-scale models. Focus on innovative scenarios in sectors such as the smart economy and smart society to develop vertical-domain large-scale models, and deploy “AI+” industry applications that support complex multi-task scenarios.
6. Cell and Gene Technologies. Focus on key areas such as genomics, gene sequencing, gene therapy, and cell therapy to promote the integrated development of biotechnology and information technology. Centered on niche sectors like high-throughput gene sequencing, develop medical devices and equipment such as artificial tissues and organs and digital therapeutics, and foster upstream and downstream industries for innovative drugs and high-end medical devices. Deepen the integration of industry and healthcare, and support the clustering of enterprises involved in key raw materials, critical equipment, and consumables.
7. Synthetic Biology. Accelerate breakthroughs in foundational technologies such as the design and assembly of biological components, chassis cell construction, and directed evolution. Proactively develop cutting-edge technologies including DNA data storage, the construction of cell-free synthetic biology systems, protein design, and the R&D of high-end implantable devices. Support the development of public technical service platforms for synthetic biology design and automation, bio-computing and molecular design, the preservation and development of important microbial strains and cell lines, and drug discovery platforms.Support the development of application scenarios such as neurointerventional, orthopedic interventional, and cardiovascular interventional procedures. Accelerate the innovation and application of synthetic biology technologies in fields including biomedicine, medical devices, advanced materials, agriculture, and consumer goods.
III. Main Tasks
(1) Explore a range of open innovation mechanisms. Actively participate in the construction of the Yangtze River Delta Science and Technology Innovation Community, and explore the establishment of collaborative mechanisms such as cross-regional joint research and the co-construction and sharing of major platforms. Promote the “grant-investment-equity” support mechanism to form a virtuous cycle of fiscal funds involving “investment—operation—exit—reinvestment.”Establish an implementation mechanism for the “challenge-based” approach in future industry sub-sectors. Each district and industrial park shall, based on selected future industry sub-sectors, explore new mechanisms and measures tailored to those specific sectors, forming a support system characterized by “one policy per industry” and “one policy per industrial park.” [Responsibility lies with the Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Science and Technology Bureau, Industry and Information Technology Bureau, Finance Bureau, and Commerce Bureau, as well as the people’s governments of each county (city, district) and the management committees of municipal-level industrial parks, in accordance with their respective duties]
(2) Achieve breakthroughs in a number of cutting-edge key technologies. Focusing on global scientific frontiers and key areas of industrial competition, and targeting the priorities of our city’s future industrial development, support leading enterprises in collaboration with universities and research institutes to undertake and implement provincial-level or higher cutting-edge technology R&D projects. Each year, select and support more than 10 industrial forward-looking technology innovation projects.Support leading enterprises in spearheading the conquest of “chokepoint” technologies through a “challenge-based” approach to achieve more breakthroughs in key core technologies. [Responsibility lies with the Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, Industry and Information Technology Bureau, and Finance Bureau, as well as the people’s governments of each county (city, district) and the management committees of municipal-level industrial parks, in accordance with their respective duties]
(3) Attract and Cultivate a Group of High-Quality Science and Technology Innovation Enterprises. Vigorously promote science and technology-focused investment promotion to attract a batch of “four-quality” science and technology innovation projects—those with “high technological content, high-level talent, high growth potential, and significant interest from social capital.”We will improve the tiered cultivation mechanism for technology enterprises, leverage the leading role of flagship enterprises, and guide enterprises to increase R&D investment and build R&D platforms. This will foster a range of new technologies, processes, and products with independent intellectual property rights, and cultivate several leading enterprises with ecosystem dominance and exemplary enterprises with industry influence. [The Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Science and Technology Bureau, Industry and Information Technology Bureau, Commerce Bureau, and Market Regulation Bureau, as well as the people’s governments of each county (city, district) and the management committees of municipal-level industrial parks, shall be responsible according to their respective duties]
(4) Plan a batch of specialized industrial parks. Building on industrial foundations and resource endowments, and adhering to the principles of specialization, differentiation, and complementarity, support provincial-level and above development zones in planning specialized “parks-within-parks” tailored to local conditions.Create a series of verification and application scenarios tailored to specific industrial directions; upgrade, integrate, and establish a new batch of future industry benchmark incubators that demonstrate strong demonstration and driving capabilities, outstanding incubation and nurturing capacity, as well as representativeness and influence; and guide enterprises within the same industry and across the industrial chain to cluster and develop within these parks. [Responsibility lies with the Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, Industry and Information Technology Bureau, Commerce Bureau, and other relevant departments, as well as the people’s governments of each county (city, district) and the management committees of municipal-level direct-affiliated industrial parks, in accordance with their respective duties]
(5) Establish a series of future industry funds. Promote the equity-based allocation of science and technology funds, and establish and improve a venture capital fundraising mechanism and market-oriented operational model guided by government funds and primarily funded by social capital. Establish the Zilang Lake Future Industry Fund, led by market forces, within the Nantong Innovation Zone.Comprehensively utilize various methods—including equity participation in funds, joint investment, financing guarantees, and government contributions that appropriately yield benefits to social investors—to actively engage with enterprises possessing capital and technological advantages, such as the Zhangjiang Group. Establish future industry investment funds managed by leading fund managers to create a mechanism for the more rational allocation of capital within the Yangtze River Delta region.Focus on optimizing the layout of future industries, establish a coordinated mechanism for the development of investment funds, and promote the sharing of project resource reserves among funds as well as mutual and follow-on investments in outstanding projects. [Responsibility lies with the Municipal Party Committee’s Financial Affairs Office, the Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, the Municipal Industry and Information Technology Bureau, the Municipal Finance Bureau, the Nantong Science and Technology Innovation Investment Group, the people’s governments of each county (city, district), and the management committees of municipal-level parks, in accordance with their respective duties]
(6) Establish a range of innovation service platforms. In accordance with the principles of “government guidance, market-driven operations, industry service, and a focus on practical results,” introduce and establish a range of innovation service platforms, including R&D institutions, testing and inspection facilities, and enterprise service platforms. Support innovation service platforms in building specialized science and technology innovation hubs using their own properties or idle buildings, centered on their areas of expertise, and in collaborating to attract science and technology innovation projects.Encourage innovation service platforms to invest in incubating enterprises through methods such as valuing technology services as equity, contributing their own funds, and jointly investing with social capital, thereby accelerating the incubation of future industry projects. [Responsibility lies with the Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, the Municipal Bureau of Industry and Information Technology, the Municipal Market Regulation Bureau, the people’s governments of each county (city, district), and the management committees of all municipal-level direct-affiliated industrial parks, in accordance with their respective duties]
(7) Attract a pool of talent for future industries. Make full use of platforms such as Nantong Talent Day and the Jianghai Talents Entrepreneurship Week, coordinate various talent programs including the “Jianghai Talents” initiative, expand flexible talent recruitment models, and precisely attract a group of leading talents and scientific and technological innovation teams for future industries.Strengthen ties with overseas universities, research institutions, and study abroad organizations; support the establishment of overseas incubators in locations such as Boston and Silicon Valley; conduct targeted matchmaking activities centered on industry needs; and organize overseas talent innovation and entrepreneurship competitions to attract and gather overseas talent.Strengthen the implementation of talent policies and service guarantees, and provide convenient services in areas such as education and healthcare. [The Municipal Party Committee Talent Office, the Municipal Education Bureau, Science and Technology Bureau, Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, Health Commission, Foreign Affairs Office, and other relevant departments, as well as the people’s governments of all counties (cities, districts) and the management committees of all municipal-level industrial parks, shall be responsible according to their respective duties]
IV. Support Measures
(1) Strengthen Coordinated Advancement. Uphold the Party’s comprehensive leadership over the cultivation and development of future industries, leverage the coordinating role of the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Committee, and make full use of the national strategy for the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta. Within the Shanghai Metropolitan Area andand the construction of Jiangsu’s “1+3” key functional zones; improve the mechanism for promoting the cultivation and development of future industries; strengthen top-level design for future industries; promptly coordinate and resolve major cross-regional, cross-sectoral, and cross-departmental issues; enhance support and safeguards in areas such as resource allocation, talent services, land use, and regulatory policies; coordinate the planning and construction of new facilities and platforms such as intelligent computing centers; and promote technological breakthroughs, scenario applications, and industrialization layouts to effectively advance the development of future industries.[Responsibility lies with the member units of the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Commission, the people’s governments of all counties (cities, districts), and the management committees of all municipal-level parks in accordance with their respective duties]
(2) Strengthen the Supply of Key Resources. Leverage the city’s unique advantages of connecting the south and north, linking east and west, and bridging land and sea to create a hub for advanced and high-quality production factors within the framework of regional coordinated development. Research and formulate a series of support policies to promote the development of future industries, and increase support for major future industry projects. Integrate relevant professional expertise to establish an expert think tank, map out an industrial landscape, and compile “four lists” of innovation resources, including leading talents, representative enterprises, key universities and research institutions, and specialized funds.Encourage policy-based, development-oriented, and commercial financial institutions to innovate financial products and service models to ensure the diversity of funding for future industries. Encourage qualified insurance companies and commercial banks to engage in business cooperation and information sharing, and expand pilot programs for innovative technology insurance to support the development of future industries. Host science and technology innovation events with domestic and international influence, and establish specialized cooperation and exchange platforms for industrial chains.Improve the institutional mechanisms for technology-focused investment promotion and continuously cultivate a professional team of investment promoters who “understand technology, industry, and investment.” [Responsibility lies with the Municipal Party Committee Talent Office, Financial Affairs Office, Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Education Bureau, Science and Technology Bureau, Industry and Information Technology Bureau, Finance Bureau, Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, Commerce Bureau, People’s Bank of China Nantong Branch, Nantong Regulatory Sub-bureau of the National Financial Regulatory Administration, and the people’s governments of all counties (cities, districts) and management committees of municipal-level direct-affiliated industrial parks, in accordance with their respective duties]
(3) Deepen Integration and Synergy. Coordinate and advance reforms of the institutional mechanisms for education, science and technology, and talent development. Deepen cooperation with universities such as the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Southeast University; amplify the demonstration effects of platforms such as the Southeast University Nantong Marine Research Institute and the Provincial Innovation Center for Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Equipment; and attract and cultivate more high-level marine science and technology innovation platforms and high-caliber marine talent.Encourage and support universities in Nantong to adjust and optimize their disciplinary structures, establishing a range of leading disciplines and programs that align with new technologies, industries, and business models, while promoting integrated development and collaborative innovation with Nantong University. Deepen the integrated development of medical care, education, research, and industry by facilitating joint efforts among healthcare institutions, universities, research institutes, pharmaceutical companies, and industrial parks to tackle key technological challenges, conduct cutting-edge medical research, and carry out clinical trials for new drugs. Additionally, promote the opening of research facilities and equipment at medical institutions to the public.Leverage the role of the (Yangtze River Delta) Innovation Consortium for Future Biomedical Industries to build industrial incubation platforms and generic technology platforms focused on advanced medical materials and devices, high-end medical equipment, and advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing. Establish an investment and financing model oriented toward obtaining marketing authorization certificates.[Responsibility lies with the Municipal Party Committee Talent Office, the Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Education Bureau, Science and Technology Bureau, Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, and Health Commission, as well as the people’s governments of each county (city, district) and the management committees of municipal-level industrial parks, in accordance with their respective duties]
(4) Optimize Evaluation and Incentives. Establish and improve a dynamic evaluation mechanism. Based on future industry development trends, formulate a dynamic monitoring and evaluation system tailored to the characteristics of our city to provide scientific support for the development of future industries. Fully leverage the talent resources of expert think tanks, strengthen research on technological foresight, keep abreast of industry development trends in a timely manner, and strategically position ourselves in specific market segments in advance.Strengthen organization, coordination, and supervision; conduct dynamic monitoring and evaluation of implementation; scientifically allocate public service resources; and guide all stakeholders to participate in the cultivation and development of future industries.Establish and improve a scientific assessment and evaluation mechanism; build a selection and evaluation system for future industry projects that encourages innovation; optimize error-tolerance and correction mechanisms in cutting-edge fields; explore long-term assessment and regulatory models; and foster a social atmosphere that encourages innovation, tolerates failure, and respects talent and creativity. [Responsibility lies with the member units of the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Commission, the people’s governments of all counties (cities, districts), and the management committees of all municipal-level direct-affiliated industrial parks, in accordance with their respective duties]
