A staff worker checks the growth of rice developed by gene-editing technology at a BellaGen Biotechnology laboratory in Jinan. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Sci-tech innovation is driving the high-quality growth of Jinan, the capital of East China's Shandong province, as more enterprises prioritize innovation for greater achievements.

Jinan-based BellaGen Biotechnology Co is leading the gene-editing technology field in China with its independently developed CRISPR Cas SF01 and CRISPR Cas SF02 technologies, which break the technology monopoly of foreign companies.

With the support of these breakthrough technologies, the company has cultivated over 20 new high-yielding crop varieties, including high-yield rice and high-oleic soybeans, according to Li Guofu, deputy general manager of the company.

As China's leading server maker, Inspur Group has put more focus on R&D and developed new quality productive forces, setting an example for other industry leaders.

The Haiyue intelligent service platform, launched by Inspur last year, is tailored to drive the digital transformation of traditional companies. It has provided digital services to 22 companies, including Shandong Port Group and Shandong Energy Group. With the assistance of the Haiyue platform, enterprises can save energy and reduce carbon emissions by 20 percent to 30 percent.

"Sci-tech innovation is key for a company's development," said Zhang Shishun, president and Party secretary of Jier Machine-Tool Group Co.

As one of the top three CNC punching machine manufacturers in the world, Jier Machine-Tool Group has managed to innovate and globalize since it was founded in 1937. More than 600 of the company's products were the first of their kind in China, and its products have been sold to over 60 countries and regions.

Jinan has been prioritizing support for scientific innovation in its local companies. In 2023, the city's investment in research and development surged to 34.68 billion yuan ($4.79 billion), marking a notable year-on-year growth of 13.1 percent.