I. Overall Objectives

Centered on the “3815” strategic development goals, we will focus on developing and strengthening the resource-based economy, port economy, and industrial park economy. We will accelerate the enhancement of the city’s independent innovation capabilities to blaze a trail of innovation, high-quality development, and sustainable growth for underdeveloped ethnic minority border regions, thereby supporting the construction of the Lincang National Sustainable Development Agenda Innovation Demonstration Zone. By 2025, we aim to achieve an average annual growth rate of over 17% in total R&D expenditure across society, with scientific and technological progress contributing 55% to economic growth.

— By 2023, total R&D expenditure across society will reach over 424 million yuan, with an R&D intensity of 0.39%;

—By 2024, total R&D expenditure will reach over 508 million yuan, with an R&D intensity of 0.42% or higher;

—By 2025, total R&D expenditure will reach over 609 million yuan, with an R&D intensity of 0.46% or higher.

II. Key Tasks

(1) Promote the high-quality development of the Lincang National Sustainable Development Agenda Innovation Demonstration Zone. Further strengthen organizational leadership, earnestly shoulder the primary responsibility for building the innovation demonstration zone, further clarify the responsibilities of departments at all levels, make effective use of the innovation demonstration zone’s prestigious brand, and strive to secure more policy support from the national and provincial governments.Thoroughly implement the 15 projects under the five major initiatives—enhancing regional openness and cooperation, implementing the rural revitalization strategy, preserving and passing down ethnic culture, building a pilot zone for ecological civilization, and driving high-quality development through innovation—to comprehensively advance all-round development aimed at sustainability and high-quality development driven by innovation.We will prepare and release the voluntary national review report to the United Nations, explore typical models that are operational, replicable, and scalable, and intensify publicity and promotion efforts to provide the “Lincang experience” for similar regions worldwide in achieving the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. (Implementation is the responsibility of member units of the Municipal Leading Group for the National Sustainable Development Agenda Innovation Demonstration Zone)

(2) Strengthen the cultivation of enterprises as the main drivers of innovation. Deepen the implementation of the “Triple Growth” Action Plan for high-tech enterprises and carry out the “High-Tech to Scaled-Up, Scaled-Up to High-Tech” initiative. Include small-scale high-tech enterprises with potential for scaling up and large-scale enterprises meeting the basic criteria for high-tech enterprise designation in the high-tech enterprise cultivation pool. Through the dispatch of science and technology special envoys,special teams, and third-party professionals to provide “one-on-one” targeted guidance, as well as services such as policy counseling, technology-focused financing, and talent recruitment. This will accelerate the upgrade of high-tech enterprises below the scale threshold to enterprises above the scale threshold and facilitate the transformation of enterprises above the scale threshold into high-tech enterprises, thereby significantly increasing the proportion of high-tech enterprises among those above the scale threshold.We will fully implement tax incentives and fiscal support policies for technology-based enterprises, accelerate the cultivation of technology-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and guide technology-based SMEs and traditional enterprises to transform into high-tech enterprises, while also guiding high-tech enterprises to become industry leaders. Financial rewards and subsidies will be provided to enterprises above the scale threshold that are certified as high-tech enterprises: a subsidy of 100,000 yuan from municipal fiscal funds will be granted to enterprises certified for the first time, and a subsidy of 50,000 yuan from municipal fiscal funds will be granted to enterprises that successfully renew their certification upon expiration. By 2025, the number of national high-tech enterprises will reach 50 or more.(Responsibility for implementation lies with the Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, Municipal Bureau of Industry and Information Technology, Municipal Taxation Bureau, Lincang High-Tech Zone Administrative Committee, Lincang Border Economic Cooperation Zone Administrative Committee, Yunnan Yunxian Industrial Park Administrative Committee, Yunnan Fengqing Industrial Park Administrative Committee, and the people’s governments of all counties and districts)

(3) Support enterprises in enhancing their innovation capabilities. Actively assist enterprises in applying for various national and provincial science and technology programs to cultivate a group of leading enterprises with strong technological innovation capabilities, high-quality independent intellectual property rights, and significant competitive advantages. Guide enterprises above a certain scale to establish various R&D institutions based on the criteria of “having dedicated R&D facilities, R&D investment, an R&D team, and R&D projects.”Fully leverage the catalytic role of fiscal funds, comprehensively utilizing various measures such as performance incentives, project support, and subsidies for R&D investment to guide enterprises in increasing their R&D expenditure, thereby accelerating the formation of a tiered structure of science and technology enterprises with outstanding innovation capabilities that lead industrial development. For enterprises above designated size that newly establish R&D institutions and whose R&D expenditure accounts for more than 1.5% of their operating revenue, a municipal subsidy of 100,000 yuan will be granted upon provincial filing and approval.Establish a municipal-level R&D expenditure incentive fund subject to total expenditure control. This fund will be used to support and guide counties (districts) in implementing the innovation-driven development strategy and to incentivize enterprises to continuously increase their R&D expenditures. The allocation of incentive funds will be calculated based on factors such as the total R&D expenditure and growth rate of enterprises above designated size in each county (district) during the previous year, the increase in the proportion of such enterprises engaged in R&D activities or possessing R&D institutions, and the growth in fiscal science and technology expenditures.By 2025, the number of industrial enterprises above designated size engaged in R&D activities will grow by an average of 10% annually, and the proportion of such enterprises with R&D institutions will reach over 20%. (Implemented by the Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, Municipal Finance Bureau, Municipal Industry and Information Technology Bureau, Municipal Bureau of Statistics, and Municipal Taxation Bureau)

(IV) Accelerate the Construction of Science and Technology Innovation Platforms. Focusing on key competitive industries such as new materials, nuts, tea, and sugarcane, and emphasizing key generic technologies and modern engineering technologies, we will advance the construction of a number of high-end R&D innovation platforms. We will coordinate the construction of the Lincang Nut Technology Innovation Center and the Key Laboratory of Nuts, and support the establishment of high-level R&D institutions such as the Yunnan Lincang Woody Oil Crops (Walnut) Full Industry Chain Innovation Research Institute and the Huaxiang Innovation Research Institute.Leverage policies such as paired assistance from partner universities and the Shanghai-Yunnan cooperation initiative to collaborate with universities and research institutes both within and outside the province to jointly establish innovation consortia and new R&D institutions. Provide a municipal subsidy of 1 million yuan to institutions recognized as provincial-level or higher key laboratories, technology innovation centers, or new R&D institutions. Grant municipal subsidies of 200,000 yuan and 100,000 yuan, respectively, to enterprises above a certain scale that newly establish academician workstations and expert workstations.By 2025, the city will have cumulatively approved the establishment of more than 30 academician (expert) workstations and built more than 20 major science and technology innovation platforms, including key laboratories, technology innovation centers, and new-type R&D institutions. (Responsibility: Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Municipal Industry and Information Technology Bureau, Municipal Health Commission, Municipal Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau, Municipal Forestry and Grassland Bureau, Municipal Finance Bureau)

(5) Stimulate the innovative vitality of science and technology talent.Encourage research institutions and researchers to innovate research management approaches, grant research institutions greater autonomy, and empower researchers with greater decision-making authority over technical approaches and the use of funds, while implementing a “lump-sum funding system” for fiscal funds. Grant universities, research institutes, and healthcare institutions greater autonomy in recruiting high-level talent, establishing internal positions, conducting professional title evaluations, distributing internal compensation, hiring research support staff and determining labor fee standards, and managing the proceeds from the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements.Promote the implementation of reforms in the evaluation of scientific and technological talent, establishing an evaluation orientation centered on innovation value, capability, quality, effectiveness, and contribution. Improve the distribution and incentive system for scientific and technological talent, and explore distribution methods such as profit-sharing, technology transfer-based, and equity-granting models. Reduce the burden on researchers by implementing a special campaign to alleviate their workload, promoting the implementation of systems such as “meeting-free days” and research assistants, and ensuring that researchers can devote their primary energy to scientific and technological innovation activities.Support researchers in engaging in part-time scientific research and specialized teaching activities—provided they fulfill their primary job responsibilities and complete their assigned tasks—with the consent of their employing institutions, and allow them to receive lawful compensation for such part-time work in accordance with regulations or contractual agreements. By 2025, we aim to have cultivated and recruited more than 100 science and technology innovation talents at the provincial and municipal levels, and fostered more than 13 innovation teams.(Responsibility for implementation lies with the Municipal Party Committee’s Office of Institutional Reform, the Municipal Party Committee’s Organization Department, the Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, the Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, the Municipal Finance Bureau, and relevant industry authorities)

(6) Intensify research and development of core and key industrial technologies. Establish and improve institutional mechanisms for tackling key core technologies, optimize the allocation of scientific and technological resources, and build a “4-in-1” industrial technology R&D system (i.e., one key industry + one academician (expert) team + one grassroots science and technology service team + one leading enterprise). Focus on major technological needs for extending, supplementing, and strengthening the industrial chains of key sectors such as forestry, sugar, tea, fruits, vegetables,cattle, coffee, and traditional Chinese medicinal materials. Implement a series of projects for the research, technology transfer, and industrialization of key technologies in industries such as Lincang nuts and walnuts. Enhance quality and efficiency, further address shortcomings in the processing, logistics, branding, functional, and value chains, and promote the development of superior varieties, quality improvement, brand building, and standardized production to comprehensively enhance product competitiveness and establish a world-class hub for the development of distinctive industries.By 2025, achieve breakthroughs in more than 30 key technologies with significant supporting and leading roles, and develop more than 150 new products. (Responsibility lies with the Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Municipal Industry and Information Technology Bureau, Municipal Health Commission, Municipal Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau, Municipal Forestry and Grassland Bureau, and Municipal Finance Bureau)

(7) Promote the Transfer and Commercialization of Scientific and Technological Achievements. Accelerate the improvement of the policy environment and institutional mechanisms for the transfer and commercialization of scientific and technological achievements, and establish a “1+8+4” (i.e., one municipal-level platform, eight county-level platforms, and four development zone platforms) system for the transfer and commercialization of achievements. Advance the development of specialized technology transfer agencies and the cultivation of a team of technology brokers, and create technology market platforms that integrate online and offline channels. Establish and improve a system for sharing and publishing information on scientific and technological achievements, providing the public with information on the supply and demand of such achievements as well as public services related to intellectual property.Innovate mechanisms for industry-university-research collaboration, support enterprises in jointly establishing R&D or technology transfer institutions with universities and research institutes, and achieve precise alignment between scientific and technological supply and development needs. By 2025, promote the transformation and industrialization of more than 50 major scientific and technological achievements, with the transaction value of technology contracts reaching over 800 million yuan. (Implemented by the Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, the Municipal Development and Reform Commission, the Municipal Industry and Information Technology Bureau, the Municipal Market Regulation Bureau, the Municipal Finance Bureau, and relevant industry authorities)

(8) Enhance the Support Capacity of Industrial Parks for Scientific and Technological Innovation. Grant greater autonomy to the Lincang Border Economic Cooperation Zone, the Lincang High-Tech Industrial Development Zone, the Yunnan Yunxian Industrial Park, and the Yunnan Fengqing Industrial Park; strengthen their innovation mindset; highlight their technological characteristics; and transform key industrial parks into demonstration zones for innovation-driven development and pilot zones for high-quality development.Accelerate the efforts to establish the Lincang High-Tech Industrial Development Zone as a national-level high-tech industrial development zone. Promote the establishment of a joint science and technology innovation fund jointly funded by the Management Committee of the Lincang High-Tech Industrial Development Zone, the Municipal People’s Government, and the Provincial Department of Science and Technology. Following the “One Zone, Three Parks” model, build the “Lincang-Yunxian-Fengqing” regional industrial and science and technology innovation community to create a hub for industrial development, a pilot zone for reform and opening-up, and a leading area for science and technology innovation in Southwest Yunnan.By 2025, strive to establish one national-level high-tech industrial development zone, with the annual growth rate of internal R&D expenditures by enterprises in provincial-level and above development zones reaching over 20%.(Responsibility for implementation lies with the Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Municipal Bureau of Industry and Information Technology, Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, Municipal Market Regulation Bureau, Municipal Administrative Service Bureau, Lincang High-Tech Industrial Development Zone Management Committee, Lincang Cross-Border Economic Cooperation Zone Management Committee, Yunnan Yunxian Industrial Park Management Committee, Yunnan Fengqing Industrial Park Management Committee, and relevant industry authorities)

(9) Expand international scientific and technological exchange and cooperation. Strengthen the integration of talent and capital attraction in science and technology, continue to implement the outcomes of the “Academician Tour,” and promote the “Science and Technology into Yunnan” initiative in Lincang. Focusing on key industries such as food manufacturing, biomedicine, new materials, plateau-specific agriculture, ecological and cultural tourism, and information and digital industries,identify a range of urgent technical and talent needs in industrial development, and organize a series of activities such as technology demand exhibitions and negotiations, as well as promotional displays of new technological products, to facilitate the establishment of research platforms, technology enterprises, scientific achievements, talent, and teams in Lincang. In conjunction with the construction of the China-Myanmar-India New Indian Ocean Corridor, further strengthen international scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation, elevate the level of cooperation, deepen the scope of cooperation, expand the fields of cooperation, and enhance the impact of cooperation.(Responsibility lies with the Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, Municipal Commerce Bureau, Municipal Foreign Affairs Office, Municipal Investment Promotion Bureau, and relevant industry authorities)

(10) Continuously increase fiscal investment in science and technology. Establish a mechanism for the stable growth of municipal and county (district) fiscal investment in science and technology, continuously optimize investment methods, and actively seek funding subsidies from higher-level authorities. Prioritize support for R&D activities conducted by enterprises above a certain scale, research institutions, and universities. In principle, self-raised matching funds from enterprises or institutions should be no less than a 1:1 match to the amount of fiscal funds applied for.Effectively coordinate and utilize special fiscal funds in sectors such as industry, agriculture, education, healthcare, water conservancy, and environmental protection. Give priority to enterprises that invest in R&D, promote collaborative innovation, and guide society as a whole to increase investment in scientific and technological innovation. (Municipal Finance Bureau, Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, and the people’s governments of all counties and districts are responsible for implementation)

(11) Optimize the service system for innovative development. Strengthen the development of science and technology management departments, expand the workforce of science and technology management personnel, intensify the training of science and technology management talent, and enhance science and technology management service capabilities. Improve the service capacity of innovation platforms by establishing a group of low-cost, convenient, comprehensive, and open science and technology enterprise incubators and maker spaces, thereby forming a tiered incubation system comprising “maker spaces + incubators + accelerators + industrial bases.”Comprehensively review the service list for key enterprises, thoroughly implement the system where leading officials provide direct support to key enterprises, and engage third-party professional institutions to provide “one-on-one” targeted services and guidance to key enterprises, thereby supporting their innovative development. (The Municipal Party Committee’s Office of Institutional Reform, the Municipal Party Committee’s Organization Department, the Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, the Municipal Development and Reform Commission, the Municipal Bureau of Industry and Information Technology, and the people’s governments of all counties and districts are responsible for implementation)

III. Support Measures

(1) Strengthen Monitoring and Accountability. Led by the Office of the Municipal Science and Technology Leading Group, establish a coordinated work mechanism linking the municipal and county (district) levels. Conduct quarterly work coordination meetings, biannual progress inspections, and annual performance evaluations to ensure the effective implementation of all tasks. The Party committees and governments of each county (district) shall report on the implementation of innovation-driven high-quality development to the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government by December 20 of each year.

(2) Strengthen Assessment and Evaluation. Include “R&D funding,” “high-tech enterprises,” and “fiscal expenditures on science and technology” in the city’s comprehensive evaluation of counties (districts) and development zones. Annually issue bulletins on the completion of target tasks; provide priority support in project funding allocation to counties (districts) and development zones with outstanding results; and conduct formal interviews with counties (districts), development zones, and units that fail to meet targets or demonstrate inadequate progress.

(3) Strengthen Publicity and Training. Intensify publicity and training on the *Law of the People’s Republic of China on Scientific and Technological Progress*, the *Yunnan Provincial Regulations on Scientific and Technological Progress*, and science and technology innovation policies to enhance innovation awareness throughout society. Vigorously promote the innovative spirit of “scaling new heights and daring to be the first,” continuously enrich the cultural connotations of innovation, and foster a positive social atmosphere that values innovation and tolerates failure. This will enable the enthusiasm for innovation to flourish across society, allow innovative talent to emerge, and ensure that the benefits of innovation are fully realized.