Chinese capital Beijing sets sights on building ‘trillion yuan’ hi-tech manufacturing clusters

City wants to attract more global talent by offering better work conditions, and opening up its research facilities, according to new five-year plan

Vice-mayor says Beijing wants to attract people who can contribute to ‘our country’s drive to become a global power in science and technology development’

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Beijing has big plans for the next five years. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 8:30am, 21 Jan 2021Updated: 9:44pm, 21 Jan 2021

The city of Beijing will develop new “trillion yuan” hi-tech manufacturing clusters and strengthen its capabilities in areas such as artificial intelligence and quantum communication research, according to its new five-year action plan to be a global science and technology hub.

The Chinese capital wants to attract more global talent by offering better work conditions, and opening up its research facilities to international scientists to boost China’s influence in global science and technology development, the plan said.

The cities of Beijing, Shanghai and the Greater Bay Area – which includes Shenzhen and Hong Kong – are designated as global science and technology innovation hubs under China’s 14th national five-year plan, a development blueprint that places emphasis on self-reliance in the innovation of core technologies and global competition.

Beijing says it wants to attract more global talent by offering better work conditions. Photo: Xinhua

“By 2035, Beijing’s global science and technology innovation hub should be a global leader in terms of creativity, competitiveness and influence, with a concentration of international talent who can contribute to our country’s drive to become a global power in science and technology development,” vice-mayor Jin Wei said at a press conference on Wednesday, referring to the city’s longer term goals.

Beijing would sharpen its capabilities in areas like artificial intelligence and quantum computing through strengthening basic research, he said, adding that the city would also invest in technologies like integrated circuits and new materials.