Zibo pushes tech innovation, industrial upgrade

Zibo is actively fostering sci-tech innovation among local companies to develop new quality productive forces and boost high-quality development.

Official data show that in 2023 the city's R&D accounted for 2.94 percent of its GDP and the output of high-tech industries contributed to 50.76 percent of the total industrial output value of industries above designated scale.

Zhiyang Innovation, a high-tech company in Zibo National Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone, has pioneered the application of AI technology in power transmission.

Its smart visual inspection devices can effectively prevent fires and enhance safety. The intelligent identification algorithm model for identifying hidden dangers has been widely used in over 100 companies nationwide.

Sci-tech innovation is the key to driving the company's growth, according to Chen Xiaojuan, director of the company.

The company has released a range of incentive measures, including employee shareholding, to foster innovation capacity among its research staff. The R&D personnel has currently occupied over 40 percent of the company's workforce.

In 2023, Zhiyang Innovation achieved an operating income of 798 million yuan ($110.25 million), an 18.9-percent year-on-year increase.

AnderMed, a medical device manufacturer, has achieved rapid growth by prioritizing innovation. The company developed umbilical arteriovenous catheters for babies, facilitating medication administration through the umbilical cord and reducing needle discomfort. AnderMed is the first in China to produce such a solution.

The company allocates 5 percent of its annual sales revenue to research and development, a strategy that has significantly contributed to its growth. Currently, the company holds over 150 patents and has played a significant role in the development of nearly 50 national and industry standards. Its products serve approximately 4,000 hospitals.

In the future, Zibo will boost innovation in key fields, including artificial intelligence and new materials, bolster the in-depth integration of cutting-edge digital technologies with the real economy and strengthen the training of high-quality and digital-savvy talent.