Manufacturing city joins innovation and industry

Changchun New Area takes efforts to promote innovation and entrepreneurship.

"In the past, fewer than 9 percent of the scientific achievements in Changchun could be commercialized in the market, which is a great pity. I thought the scientific strength of the city could better benefit the future," said Guo Li, chairman of the board of Changchun Beihu Science Park Development Co.

Guo said the park, constructed by the Changchun government and Beijing Science and Technology Park Construction, was inaugurated in 2014.

Ever since the opening of the park, Changchun New Area launched a series of policies to encourage enterprises and scientific institutions to settle in the park, including rent subsidies, tax reduction and bonuses for IP and technological innovation, said Guo.

"We are determined to establish links between scientific projects and related enterprises and promote innovation within the traditional industries of Changchun."

By November 2016, more than 140 technological companies, startups and science and technological service platforms settled in the park.

Most of the companies focus on biological medicine, electronic information and new materials.

"We target at the competitive industries in Changchun," Guo said.

He said the park hopes to restructure the industries there and helps businesses to engage in cooperation with foreign countries in Changchun New Area.

"Officials from Changchun and leaders of companies in the park were invited to join a cooperative high-tech project with an Israeli team from June to August last year through video conference," Guo said. "We expect them to learn about new business models and innovative thinking from Israel."

He said construction of hotels, shopping malls and apartments in the park are expected to be completed in 2020.

Deputy CEO of Taihua Lightning Protection Wang Chuanwei said: "We were attracted by the park's preferential measures in renting workspaces, the infrastructure and the potential of Changchun New Area."

Another innovative incubator in Changchun New Area, known as The Lin Maker Carnival, also provides a space for entrepreneurs to realize their ideas.

The Lin Maker Carnival moved into a deserted car plant in 2015, said Han Xue, chairman secretary of Jilin Lintian Yuanda Image Group, a company which has 30 years of history in brand visual planning for automobiles, including Toyota, FAW and BMW.

She said the carnival includes a cafe where entrepreneurs can meet with investors face to face, workshops where technological contests and activities can be held and courses concerning innovation and entrepreneurship.

"Our company cooperated with Jilin University in innovation and entrepreneurship education since last year," Han said. "About 500 students from Jilin University will attend courses at the Lin Maker Carnival every Saturday and Sunday, covering such topics as vocational skills, VR technology, and designing of automobiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and robots."

For projects that have great potential, she said Lintian will introduce their technology or products to clients and government.

"The Lin Maker Carnival aims to incubate high-tech startups and boost employment and entrepreneurship among graduates," Han said.

"I believe the improving infrastructure, preferential policies and innovative atmosphere in Changchun New Area will encourage more leading professionals to come and stay."

(China Daily 02/13/2017 page25)