Wuxi, Beijing seek cooperation on emerging industries

Wuxi introduced a number of new projects from Beijing during a summit held Dec 16, aiming to promote the development of new-generation information technologies.

Over 300 leading enterprises from Beijing and Wuxi involved in the industry attended the event to exchange ideas on industrial development and look for cooperation opportunities with each other.

A total of 32 projects with investment exceeding 12 billion yuan ($1.8 billion) were signed at the summit, including an internet technology platform for film and television IP conversion and transaction, an aerospace science and industry civil radar industry base, and one to produce smart environment sensor chips.

Gao Yaguang, vice-mayor of Wuxi, said at the event that Wuxi has been making efforts to develop new generation information technology, especially the internet of things (IoT), independent research and development, cross-border cooperation, integrated innovation, and large-scale development.

Gao said he hoped more talents will start businesses and carry out innovation in Wuxi, which will provide a great business environment and favorable policies.

Statistic show that Wuxi is now home to 3,657 IoT enterprises, covering the entire industry chain including related chips, sensing devices, network communications, intelligent hardware and application services, according to Chen Wenbin, director of Wuxi's industry and information technology bureau.

According to Chen, from January to October this year, the city's IoT operating income rose by 19.5 percent year-on-year to reach 247 billion yuan, accounting for 25 percent of the country's total.

Wuxi has established 106 national technological innovation carriers, and taken the lead in the formulation of 62 international and national standards for the IoT industry. IoT projects undertaken by Wuxi enterprises have been introduced to more than 830 cities in 78 countries and regions around the world, according to Chen.

In addition, Wuxi is seeing rapid development in the integrated circuit (IC) industry. From January to October this year, the city's IC industrial output reached 113.8 billion yuan with a growth rate of more than 30 percent. Related chips are widely used in various pieces of epidemic-prevention equipment.

The development of intelligent manufacturing and the industrial internet is also a highlight of the city's economic development. The Wuxi National Hi-tech District has been listed in the first batch of provincial "internet and advanced manufacturing" bases.