Researchers work at the institute of Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications in Nantong. [Photo provided by Wang Weili to en.nantong.gov.cn]

Nantong in Jiangsu province recently published suggestions for the cultivation and development of future industries, as it seeks to become a future industry innovation hub in the Yangtze River Delta region.

Nantong is expected to spend five years forming an ecosystem for future industries with improved technologies, distinctive industrial parks, enhanced scale effect, and strong resource support.

The city will focus on the development of six key future industries: aerospace, ocean, energy, materials, communication, and healthcare, while also planning the development of pioneering future industries.

Nantong will prioritize the development of several niche fields, including low-altitude economy, deep-sea equipment, new energy storage, third-generation semiconductors, general artificial intelligence, cell and gene technology, and synthetic biology.

Wu Jiahua, head of Nantong municipal bureau of science and technology, explained that the niche fields are in the early stage of explosive growth and boast huge potentials for industrial players.

In recent years, supported by preferential policies and subsidies, Nantong has laid a foundation for niche future industries such as third-generation semiconductors as well as cell and gene technology.

Local technological departments have established a dedicated work team to make lists of leading talents, representative enterprises, key universities, and specialized funds and employed senior experts to provide intellectual support and decision-making consultations related to the development of future industries.

Nantong also plans to establish more than 10 equity funds with subscribed capital valued at over 5 billion yuan ($701.06 million) to develop the industries.