Beijing has launched a comprehensive action plan to strengthen its position as a world-class science, technology, and innovation (STI) hub by 2027. The initiative, led by the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission, focuses on enhancing international cooperation and fostering global innovation.

The plan outlines key measures such as establishing bilateral and multilateral cooperation frameworks, encouraging enterprises to co-develop international laboratories, and supporting companies in expanding their operations overseas.

To facilitate high-level openness, the plan prioritizes innovative cooperation models, focusing on attracting global innovators to Beijing while helping local enterprises expand internationally.

For example, it proposes an "incentive plan for foreign investment R&D" to draw more foreign R&D centers to the city and offers increased support for domestic companies to integrate resources from both domestic and international markets for innovation.

The plan will be executed with a market-oriented approach, with enterprises playing a leading role in STI efforts. It also highlights the importance of international organizations, foreign business associations, and foreign-funded R&D centers in fostering a high-level innovation ecosystem through collaborative efforts.

Six priorities have been outlined to advance Beijing's development as a global STI center:

Expanding international science cooperation networks: Strengthening exchange mechanisms, deepening "Belt and Road" innovation collaboration, and attracting international sci-tech organizations to Beijing.

Enhancing international cooperation platforms: Improving the competitiveness of the "Three Science Cities and One Demonstration Area" (Zhongguancun Science City, Huairou Science City, Beijing Future Science Park, and the Demonstration Area for Innovation-based Industrial Clusters), unlocking the potential of sub-parks, and developing international innovation clusters like the Beijing China-Japan Innovation and Cooperation Demonstration Zone and the Beijing China-Germany Industrial Park.

Optimizing cooperation platforms: Advancing recognition systems for international science bases, supporting cross-border technology transfer agencies, and promoting open sharing of major scientific facilities.

Boosting collaboration among innovation entities: Encouraging international exchanges in fundamental sciences, joint research on cutting-edge technologies, and partnerships in applied technology development.

Building a world-class open innovation ecosystem: Refining intellectual property systems, enhancing international talent services, strengthening financial mechanisms, and fostering policy innovation.

Promoting science exchanges and collaboration: Hosting a high-standard Zhongguancun Forum, organizing influential academic events, and bringing out prestigious scientific journals.

By 2027, Beijing aims to establish itself as a world-class international STI center, with significant advancements in talent, technology, and capital flows. Key targets include establishing 15 Belt and Road joint laboratories, initiating 100 international joint research projects, and attracting 300 foreign-funded R&D centers.

Also on the agenda is publishing 120 top-tier scientific journals and ensuring that the Zhongguancun Forum gains substantial global influence.