Knowledge City learns from Singaporean partners to spur development, upgrading

Since its construction began in 2010, Sino-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City has served as a strategic development platform and a model for Guangdong province's economic transformation and industrial upgrading, according to Xu Hui, deputy director of the SSGKC development and construction office.

"Our partner, Singapore, has advanced innovative technologies, comprehensive social management, including strict IP enforcement and a strong protection system, from which we can learn a lot," Xu said.

With the help of its partner, a total of 51 enterprises are under construction in the city, which plans to go into operation from 2018-20, with an investment of 56.5 billion yuan ($8.26 billion).

Once completed, the industrial output of these projects is expected to reach 103 billion yuan. Business revenue from scientific research, the service industry, commerce and trade is estimated to be 150 billion yuan, according to the Knowledge City Administration Committee.

Favorable policies have been granted to ensure smooth implementation and progress in the areas of talent development, industry promotion, technology and finance, Xu said.

The Guangzhou Development District government issued four favorable policies in February, promoting advanced manufacturing, services and high-tech industries. Each of the policies feature 10 articles, dubbed Golden Policies, along with 2.2 billion yuan worth of subsidies.

A similar favorable policy was issued to promote the intellectual property industry. Named the 10-article Jade Policy, it says when an IP company's main business income in the year of establishment is more than 100 million yuan, it will be awarded with funds of up to 10 million yuan.

A consultant with Advance China IP Law Office - a comprehensive IP law firm with offices in San Francisco, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen - said that the policy has great attraction for them.

The company will increase its resources in the development zones and actively promote IP rights to lead and support innovation-driven development.

Infrastructure investment

SSGKC will benefit from a convenient transportation network, including expressways, highways and metro lines, to improve on the current networks, according to Xu.

The SSGKC extension of Metro Line 14 will be put into operation at the end of this year. Line 21, connecting SSGKC and the downtown area of Guangzhou, will start operation in 2018.

The next step for SSGKC will be to focus on the artificial intelligence and new energy industries, according to Xu.

A memorandum of cooperation on a new project was signed on June 14. It is a potential collaborative project to develop a Sino-British energy and climate change innovation and financing platform in SSGKC.

A new fund for new energy will be set up in the future, Xu said.

(China Daily 06/28/2017 page15)