Representatives of the scientific community are seen waving their hands on stage at the convention on June 25. [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]

The Hubei Provincial Scientific and Technological Innovation Convention took place in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei province, on June 25.

"Building Wuhan into an influential domestic sci-tech innovation center is a major strategic move made by the central government after similar deployments in Beijing, Shanghai, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the Chengdu-Chongqing area," said Shao Xinyu, vice-minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

In accordance with the requirements of the State Council, the ministry formulated a master plan to make Wuhan an influential domestic sci-tech innovation center together with the Hubei government in 2021. In April this year, the plan was officially approved and coordinated with 25 departments and the Supreme People's Court to add 51 key measures to support the master plan.

Wuhan is expected to focus on optoelectronics, biomedicine, quantum physics, and other core frontiers and overcome obstacles in these fields. Hubei's sci-tech communities will be encouraged to undertake more national major laboratory construction and key sci-tech projects.

In addition, Wuhan will make efforts to establish major innovation platforms and accelerate the construction of world-class industrial parks, as well as industrial clusters in advanced manufacturing, healthcare and modern agriculture.

Furthermore, an innovative consortium will be set up for cities in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. Wuhan will enhance coordination with Changsha, Nanchang and other neighboring cities as well.

The Yangtze River Economic Belt region is urged to pioneer an advanced sci-tech governance system consisting of multiple bodies and consolidate a technology-oriented financial system.

The convention clarified that by 2035, Wuhan will fulfill its goal of becoming a domestically influential sci-tech innovation hub.