Design of Zhangjiang Science City [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In 2017, Shanghai rolled out plans to expand Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park in Pudong New Area into a world-class 'science city'.

Covering an area of about 94 square kilometers, Zhangjiang Science City aims to grow into a world-class science city and a center of scientific innovation in Shanghai. It will work to cultivate a strong entrepreneurial environment, convenient living facilities, and a unique cultural atmosphere.

It will create an estimated 880,000 jobs, and over half of the employees will live inside the city.

The science city will gather some of the world's top innovative talents, national science facilities, key universities, research institutes, and research and development centers of multinational enterprises.

Founded in 1992, Zhangjiang High-tech Park currently covers an area of 79.7sq km. It has gathered over 10,000 companies in the areas of information technology, biomedicine, cultural innovation and low-carbon environmental protection.

Leading Industries

Zhangjiang Science city is currently home to over 18,000 enterprises, 53 regional headquarters of multinational corporations, and 828 high-tech enterprises. Its leading industries include integrated circuits, artificial intelligence (AI), and biomedicine.

The area is home to the most complete integrated circuit industrial chain in the country, with several internationally renowned companies working in the field. Six of the top 10 global chip design companies have set up regional headquarters and research and development (R&D) centers in Zhangjiang, while three of the top 10 chip design companies in China are located in the area.

Zhangjiang Science City is also home to a large number of global organizations and local startups specializing in artificial intelligence, including IBM, Microsoft AI Lab, ADA Health, Alibaba, Infineon Technologies, Cloudwalk Technology, and Xiaoyi Technology. “Zhangjiang AIsland”, a specialized AI hub in Zhangjiang Science City, is currently home to 31 AI applications assisting in security and protection, voice recognition and deep learning, which are powered by a pilot 5G mobile network. It is also part of the government's first wave of measures to bolster the development of the city’s AI industry.

With a complete innovation chain in new drug development, drug screening, clinical research, registration certification, mass production and listing, Zhangjiang has gathered more than 400 biomedical enterprises, over 20 large pharmaceutical manufacturers, more than 300 R&D-oriented small and medium-sized enterprises, and 100 R&D institutions. Six out of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies in the world have set up regional headquarters and R&D centers in Zhangjiang.