Meeting the challenge to compete

Insufficient funding, a lack of trained researchers and inadequate IPR protection are hindering domestic technological innovation

The 12th Five-Year Plan Period (2011-15) is of key importance to China's overall plan for technological innovation and industrial upgrading. An innovation-driven strategy is essential for determining whether China can finish the planned task of industrial adjustment and reform.

But it is clear that the majority of provinces and regions still rely on investment and low labor costs to boost economic development, only certain eastern provinces have realized the importance of an innovation-driven strategy and started shifting to the new mode. However, they face some common problems.