Pudong New Area in East China's Shanghai launched 32 major science and technology projects, which are expected to fully promote the recovery and revitalization of the industrial economy, and boost Pudong’s industrial investment and facilitate its economic recovery, according to a construction commencement ceremony held in the area on Aug 23.

Major projects are key for building Pudong into a pioneering area for socialist modernization, and serve as an important carrier to comprehensively upgrade the industrial grade, enhance core competitiveness and build a world-class industrial cluster. Three venues were connected online to kick off the start of the projects.

In the first half of this year, Pudong overcame unexpected factors such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and sped up its pace in the resumption of work and production. From January to July of this year, Pudong completed a total industrial investment of 33.2 billion yuan ($4.78 billion), a year-on-year increase of 19.6 percent, accounting for 46.2 percent of the city's industrial investment.

These projects had a total investment of over 63.47 billion yuan, and covered areas such as artificial intelligence, biomedicine, integrated circuits, automobile manufacturing, infrastructure and livelihood improvement, which are expected to continuously improve the innovation, industrial and value chains in Pudong, and help the area complete its mission of transforming into a pioneer area for socialist modernization, 

Among the 32 start-up projects, the second phase of the Zhangjiang Artificial Intelligence Island, Zhangjiang Pharmaceutical Valley Industrialization Base, and Zhangjiang Shanghai Integrated Circuit Design Industry Complex will focus on the three core industries - artificial intelligence, biomedicine, and integrated circuits, which will offer a solid foundation for Pudong to to build three world-class industrial clusters in the area.

The opening ceremony of the second phase of the Zhangjiang Artificial Intelligence Island, is held on Aug 23. [Photo/WeChat account: Ke-Way] 

A number of technological renovation projects, such as the Cadillac L233 pure electric vehicle project, have all started this year, and are expected to further improve Pudong's industrial and innovation chains in the fields of future vehicles and intelligent manufacturing, and accelerate the area’s industrial innovation and development.

At the same time, industrial R&D projects such as the Shanghai Clinical Research Center and the third phase of "Free Trade One" are already under construction. They will play an active role for Pudong to gather innovative resources.

According to local authorities, the second phase of Zhangjiang Artificial Intelligence Island, with a combined investment of 4.24 billion yuan, is scheduled to be completed in 2026. The project consists of research and development buildings, libraries, fitness areas, and supporting commercial facilities, with the aim of becoming an urban complex integrating living, working, entertainment and other functions.

The Shanghai Zhangjiang Integrated Circuit Design Industry Complex has a combined investment of 4.43 billion yuan and covers an area of 43,504.9 square meters. The overall space ascends from west to east, forming eight landmarks: Zhangjiang Eye, Tianmu Block, Pandora Garden, Liuyun Terrace, Variety Atrium, Star Plaza, Rooftop Paradise and Time Passage. The complex is designed as a center for technological innovation, and a highland for science and technology talents.

During the event, representatives from eight major projects including Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, Huayu Automobile and Chi-Med Pharmaceutical jointly issued an initiative. They said that they will increase investment in Pudong to foster new growth drivers for the area’s high-quality development. Efforts will also be made to promote the construction of these projects, aiming to make their contributions to the high-level reform and opening-up of Pudong, in a bid to build Pudong into a pioneer area for socialist modernization.

Representatives from eight major projects including Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, Huayu Automobile and Chi-Med Pharmaceutical jointly issue an initiative during the event. [Photo/WeChat account: Ke-Way] 

Since 2021, a total of 27 technological transformation projects in Pudong New Area have been completed, accepted and put into production, with a total investment of 2.47 billion yuan and an industrial output value of 201.46 billion yuan.

Pudong New Area has actively encouraged manufacturing enterprises to carry out technological transformation, with a focus on six industries and make breakthroughs in advanced technology innovation and the upgrading of traditional manufacturing industries.

Representatives from six enterprises, each with a total investment of more than 100 million yuan addressed at the ceremony, hope that the production of major technological transformation projects in Pudong will grow ever stronger.

“Thanks to the efforts of the Pudong government, our company has suceeded. Pudong is pioneering a higher level of reform and opening-up and plays a leading role in biomedicine. Rooted in Shanghai, our company will join hands with all parties to build an innovative atmosphere for the biomedicine industry,” said Bian Xin, CEO of Roche Pharmaceuticals China.

With continuous efforts to break down barriers and stimulate investment growth, Pudong New Area plans to maintain its industrial investment stock and go all out to promote high-quality economic development and build a world-class industrial cluster, which, at the same time, help contribute to the development of China.