In 2023, Changsha's whole-society research and development (R&D) investment intensity, measured by the ratio of R&D investment to GDP, exceeded 3% for the first time, and the gathering of innovation factor resources accelerated. This information was learned from the government work report delivered at the fourth session of the 16th Changsha Municipal People's Congress on January 11.
The R&D investment intensity comprehensively reflects a region's sci-tech innovation capability. China's R&D investment intensity was 2.54% in 2022.
In 2023, Changsha focused on innovation platforms, R&D achievements commercialization, and innovation ecology, continued to increase momentum and stimulate vitality, and sped up the building of a sci-tech innovation hub with core competitiveness. Especially since the global R&D center construction was launched, construction of the "one town, one area, and three bases" innovation bearing area has continued to speed up. Seven key projects in the pioneering zone of the Xiangjiang Science Town started construction in a centralized manner. With the support from the Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan National Independent Innovation Demonstration Zone, the ranking of province's regional innovation ability jumped to eighth nationwide. A number of enterprise R&D centers (headquarters) settled in Changsha, including the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology Hunan Branch and the SEG Automotive Global New Energy Product and Technology R&D Center. The province's "4+4 Sci-tech Innovation Project" was vigorously advanced in Changsha. The large aircraft ground dynamics test platform in the Changsha Jinxia Economic and Technological Development Zone begun testing. The National Supercomputing Center in Changsha completed upgrading, and the province's "Four Major Laboratories" were in practical operation. A national open innovation platform for new-generation AI public computing power was approved.
Data show that 604 new innovation platforms were added in Changsha throughout 2023, of which 11 were state-level and 7 were newly listed as national key laboratories. Breakthroughs were made in 52 key core technologies. The proportion of locally commercialized achievements from colleges and universities in Changsha via technology development, transfer, and licensing contracts increased to 49.65%, and the turnover of technical contracts exceeded 120 billion yuan. The city's total number of talents exceeded 3 million.
This year, Changsha will accelerate the construction of a global R&D center, implement seven major projects such as gathering R&D enterprises (centers) and supporting strategic platforms, and take more solid steps toward building a sci-tech innovation hub with core competitiveness. It will strive to introduce and cultivate a group of R&D centers, headquarters, and enterprises invested by Fortune Global 500 enterprises, top 500 Chinese enterprises, and top 500 Chinese private enterprises. The turnover of technology development, transfer, licensing contracts will grow by 30%, and 50 key core technologies will see breakthroughs.
Source: en.changsha.gov.cn
