Efforts are well underway to open up new tracks for future-oriented industries and accelerate the development of new quality productive forces. As part of the efforts, Jiangsu Provincial Department of Science and Technology and Jiangsu Development and Reform Commission recently jointly issued the Action Plan for Accelerating Scientific and Technological Innovation to Lead Future-oriented Industries (“5×100” Action Plan) from 2024 to 2026. The plan focuses on implementing the “5×100” action in fields such as third-generation semiconductors, artificial general intelligence (AGI), quantum technology, synthetic biology, and the Metaverse, aiming to make breakthroughs in 100 cutting-edge technologies, cultivate 100 demonstration enterprises, foster 100 technological innovation parks, create 100 application scenarios, and establish 100 standards and regulations.

One official with Jiangsu Provincial Department of Science and Technology explained that Jiangsu enjoys a solid foundation for developing future-oriented industries with comparative strengths in certain sectors. The advanced new materials and future networks are on a par with the world’s advanced level, while sectors like AI and hydrogen and energy storage have taken shape at a considerable scale. Primarily based on the Sunan National Innovation Park and high-tech zones at the provincial level and above as important carriers, the “5×100” action will plan for the industrial chain with a focus on the innovation chain and vice versa, and strive to put in place a full life cycle cultivation system for future-oriented industries, encompassing technology origination, application-driven development, enterprise incubation and industrial agglomeration, in a move to seize the strategic commanding heights for future development.

The action plan outlines five priority tasks: first, working vigorously for breakthroughs of 100 critical cutting-edge technologies, formulating “One Map and Three Lists” tailored specifically to different sectors for future-oriented industries, and focusing on R&D plans in advantageous areas including quantum technology, future networks and brain-like intelligence; second, nurturing 100 future technology innovation demonstration enterprises, selecting a host of high-tech companies specializing in cutting-edge technologies with strong growth potential, and supporting these companies in forming innovation consortia; third, upgrading 100 future-oriented industry technological innovation parks, with a focus on building a group of benchmark incubators for future-oriented industries, and piloting the construction of future-oriented industry science and technology parks; fourth, developing 100 cutting-edge technology application scenarios, setting up a number of proof-of-concept centers, supporting leading enterprises in building cross-industry integrated application scenarios, and encouraging high-tech zones to create distinctive and exemplary scenarios; fifth, formulating 100 standards and regulations for future-oriented industries, and speeding up the promotion and commercial application of future-oriented industry standards.

The action plan clearly supports localities in leveraging their own industrial foundations and unique strengths to promote a collaborative development pattern where industries interact in synergy and regions integrate with one another. Meanwhile, it promises greater financial investment, mentions the establishment of a provincial cutting-edge technology R&D program, and ensures special fund arrangements with investment increased on a year-on-year basis. Moreover, banks and other financial institutions are encouraged to develop financial products and service models tailored to new technology R&D and future-oriented industry innovation to diversify capital input.