Industrial parks are vital carriers of China's industrial growth, and in the era of innovation they are expected to play an even greater role in advancing new industrialization and developing new quality productive forces. To accelerate their transformation and upgrading, the recently issued Guideline for the High-Quality Development of Industrial Parks provides a comprehensive roadmap.

The guideline defines industrial parks as manufacturing- and service-oriented clusters approved by provincial-level governments, with clear spatial boundaries and listed in the Catalogue of Development Zones. These parks are not only hubs of production but also key platforms for innovation, green development, and international cooperation.

The overarching requirement is clear: industrial parks must fully implement the new development philosophy, balance growth and security, and advance a trajectory of specialization, intensification, digitalization, green transformation, and standardized governance.

The development orientation relies on several pillars. First, strengthening characteristic and advantageous industries: each park should identify no more than three leading sectors, avoid low-level homogeneous competition, and foster chain-based industrial clusters through coordinated innovation and targeted investment. Second, enhancing spatial governance: by intensifying land use, redeveloping low-efficiency areas, and improving infrastructure, parks can expand capacity while ensuring sustainable urban integration.

Enterprises remain the key actors. The guideline calls for building a gradient cultivation system that nurtures leading firms, "little giants" (specialized tech companies), single champions, and innovative SMEs, while promoting synergy between large and small enterprises. Complementary services, from intellectual property to finance, will form a robust support ecosystem.

Innovation capacity should be increased through joint R&D platforms, open testing facilities, and integration with universities and research institutes. Digital transformation is also emphasized, with 5G, industrial internet, and AI shaping "digital parks" and empowering supply chains with intelligent upgrades.

Meanwhile, green and safe development constitutes another cornerstone. From distributed photovoltaics and micro-grids to recycling and zero-carbon initiatives, parks are tasked with becoming models of ecological transformation. In addition, strict safety management, technological safeguards, and training programs will ensure resilient operations.

Finally, openness and cooperation will be expanded. Parks are encouraged to participate in industrial transfers, explore cross-park collaboration models, and broaden international ties under the Belt and Road Initiative, fostering mutual investment and technology exchanges.