East China's Shandong province is making  efforts to improve its capability in innovation and economic development by building a national comprehensive test area for new and old kinetic energy conversion.  The work is being undertaken to encourage innovation in technology, support enterprises in being innovative and cultivate talented individuals.

Encouraging innovation in technology

Thanks to the support of the National High-tech Research and Development Plan, the Qingdao-based electronic giant Hisense has mastered the core   technologies of laser television and now owns 412 patents, making it a market leader and bringing in generous profit. Hisense introduced the first generation of laser television prototypes in 2012. By 2017, laser television had gained market popularity. 

"Laser television is a kind of disruptive innovation," said Zhou Houxiong, chairman of Hisense Group. Zhou explained that LCD television screens were expensive and laser television overcame this shortcoming. A 100-inch LCD television may sell for 300,000 yuan ($47,262), while the price of a laser television of the same size is about 50,000 to 80,000 yuan.

The disruptive innovation is the result of basic research. Shandong province will strengthen support for technology development, carry out major scientific research projects and encourage original scientific and technological achievements, according to remarks made by Shandong Party Secretary Liu Jiayi at a meeting on Feb 22, 2018.  

Zhang Xiansheng, principal of Shandong   Agricultural University, was one of those who gained support for research from the provincial government. Zhang specializes in plant stem cells, a technology that helps breed new plant varieties. To help Zhang apply the technology to agricultural production, the Department of Science and Technology of Shandong Province granted him 10 million yuan as scientific research funds. Zhang said he is confident that the advantages of basic   research would soon be translated into the driving force of industrial   development.

"Technical innovation cannot be achieved in   a short time," said Li Chulin, deputy head of the Department of Science and Technology of Shandong Province. Therefore, the department prefers to make long-term plans to support basic research for later application.

Li said that the province will also carry out major technical innovation projects relating to information safety, high-end equipment and special high performance materials to try to master about 100 technological problems that hinder industrial development, and set up a featured technological innovation center to develop advanced technology and boost the economy.