As an important industrial base and strategic fulcrum for economic development in the northern region of China, Shandong province is boosting high-quality development by vigorously transforming scientific and technological innovation achievements into productivity.

Data show that provincial-level funding for sci-tech innovation and development in Shandong has exceeded 14.5 billion yuan ($2.01 billion); the output value of high-tech industries accounts for 51.35 percent of total output; and Shandong has launched 110 major sci-tech projects, making landmark achievements in fields such as supercomputing interconnection and high-quality chips.

Enterprises take lead

In 2023, 95 percent of Shandong's provincial sci-tech innovation projects were led by enterprises. The province has supported enterprises to strengthen decision-making and research investment.

"To date, we have launched 21 new pharmaceutical products, with expected sales revenue exceeding 500 million yuan," said Fan Jun, chairman of Hualu Holdings Co Ltd.

Shandong is driving the transformation of State-owned enterprises through institutional innovation. In 2023, R&D investment by provincially-owned enterprises reached 47.33 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 14.3 percent. Shandong also held six promotion events highlighting industry-academia-research cooperation, released 446 enterprise demands and 323 new technologies and products.

Key platforms

Last year, Shandong established many industrial innovation platforms, with 10 new national key laboratories approved throughout the year, bringing the total to 21. In addition, 21 new provincial technology innovation centers were established, bringing the total to 156.

One of them is the National Innovation Institute of High-End Smart Appliances, led by Haier Group, which is committed to tackling core algorithms for home appliance chips and leading sectors such as high-frequency PFCs, compressors and fans. Another is the National Ocean Science and Technology Grand Market established in Qingdao in September of last year.

Reform tasks

Since last year, Shandong has promoted 30 reform tasks, achieving 58 landmark results. In January, the province launched a comprehensive reform pilot for the evaluation of national sci-tech talent. 

"Through reform, we aim to establish a scientific and technological talent evaluation system based on innovation value, capabilities, and contributions," said Sun Haisheng, director of the Department of Science and Technology of Shandong Province.