Guangzhou Development District bets big on nano tech

Guangzhou Development District, located in South China's Guangdong province, is focusing its attention on developing nanotechnology in order to become a world leader in the technology with independent intellectual property rights.

"At present, China's basic research on nanotechnology is at the forefront of the world, with up to 210,000 nanotechnology patents, however, China's transformation rate of the technological results is still very low," said Zhao Yuliang, director at the National Center for Nanoscience and Technology and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. "Translating these basic research findings into the productivity of our country is a challenge before us."

Relying on the advantages that the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has in talented professionals and advanced industrial capability, Guangzhou Development District is aiming to transform research results in nanotechnology into applicable and marketable technologies and products, Zhao added.

To foster the development of nanotechnology, the district introduced a series of new incentive policies on Tuesday, in Guangzhou.

"The policies are targeted for the nanotechnology industry and provide the strongest industrial support and most complete coverage in China. They are also the only local industrial policies led by academic research," said Xia Jian, director of the science and technology bureau of Guangzhou Development District.

The policies will help the district build an all-around nanotechnology ecosystem and realize high-quality development, Xia added.

Offering multiple supportive incentives and rewards, the policies can grant enterprises up to 170 million yuan ($24.27 million) each.

The policies support the construction of public nanotechnology service platforms, and offer rewards to entities establishing each platform, with a maximum award reaching 50 million yuan.