Weihai hi-tech park expands its pool of innovative SMEs

In the workshop of Shaobo Medical Technology (Shandong), engineers are developing a third-generation neurosurgical robot — the only one in China with fully independent intellectual property rights.

According to General Manager Hu Wuting, the device is expected to secure regulatory approval by August 2026, enabling mass production and filling a critical gap in the domestic medical robotics industry. This groundbreaking innovation earned the company a place on Shandong's 2025 list of "specialized, sophisticated, distinctive and innovative" (SRDI) enterprises.

Such achievements reflect the broader strategy of the Weihai Torch Hi-tech Science Park, which is actively strengthening its roster of specialized and innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Shaobo is one of many firms benefiting from this supportive environment, with the park creating a clear pathway for local innovators to grow into national industry leaders.

The park's progress is much more than a single enterprise. In 2025, it welcomed 17 newly recognized provincial-level SRDI SMEs, while another 23 successfully passed re-evaluation. In total, the zone now counts 139 certified enterprises. Collectively, this year's recognized or re-certified firms generated 5 billion yuan ($695 million) in revenue, a 2.9 percent year-on-year increase. On average, these companies invest 7.6 percent of their revenue into R&D, hold seven invention patents, and more than 90 percent own their own brands.

By tailoring its support policies and services, the Weihai Torch Hi-tech Science Park is building a robust ecosystem that nurtures innovation. This structured approach — guiding firms from innovative SMEs to provincial SRDI enterprises and ultimately to national "little giants" — is steadily enhancing the park's industrial competitiveness and long-term growth potential. (Edited by Hu Kaili)

In the workshop of Shaobo Medical Technology (Shandong), engineers are developing a third-generation neurosurgical robot — the only one in China with fully independent intellectual property rights. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]