Foshan forges ahead with research and innovation

The government of the city of Foshan, a manufacturing hub in China, has backed the establishment of a new group of research institutes and innovation centers to bolster its pillar industry and improve its expansion on the global stage.

A total of 12 key projects, with an investment worth more than 90 billion yuan ($13 billion), were signed at the opening ceremony of the fourth China (Guangdong) International Internet Plus Exposition, one of the city's most important events of the year, that runs from Wednesday to Saturday.

One of the main projects involved the Foshan city government and the Nanhai district government signing an agreement with Tsinghua University to build an academy for research into new materials. Foshan aims to become a national leader in the sector. Officials said the academy's achievements would not only benefit South China, where Foshan is located, but also the whole country.