MOST Enhance Study of Independent Innovation Capacity in the Yangtze Delta

On 11-15 June 2007, the special workgroup established by the Department of Development Planning of MOST jointly with National Development and Reform Commission , Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education, State Intellectual Property Office, State Environmental Protection Administration and the S&T administrative departments of Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang went to Yangtze River Delta to conduct special investigation and research. The workgroup went deep down to a number of enterprises, research institutes, hi-tech zones and innovation & pioneering service organizations for field study. They convened 6 panel discussions with the participation of local government departments, research institutes, enterprises and universities to listen to the opinions of all sides.

The representatives of every side put forward many constructive suggestions on upgrading the independent innovation capacity and speeding up the scientific development of the Yangtze River Delta, such as promoting the implementation of independent innovation policies and strengthening the steering of S&T cooperation in Yangtze River Delta as well as jointly organizing major S&T projects and nurturing innovative personnel, etc.

On 15 June, the National Development and Reform Commission and the Research Office of the State Council convened a work conference and listened to the reports on the work progress delivered by relevant departments and the government of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai. It concluded that independent innovation capacity enhancement is essential for the Yangtze River Delta Delta to take the lead in scientific development and fully affirmed the work of the special workgroup. On that basis, MOST will coordinate with relevant departments to present concrete policy suggestions.