Chongqing - The 2023 Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle Collaborative Innovation Index reveals that since 2020, the collaborative innovation capability in the Chengdu-Chongqing region has steadily improved, recently released by Chongqing Academy of Science and Technology.

The collaborative innovation index primarily includes five aspects: the ability to pool and share resources, collaborative research and innovation capabilities, technology spillover capabilities, industrial synergies development capabilities, and support for the innovation environment.

Specifically, in 2022, the collaborative innovation index surged from the 2020 baseline of 100.00 to 157.07, marking a remarkable 57.07% growth. This signifies robust regional investment in resources and capabilities, boasting an average annual growth rate of 25.33%. 

Collaborative innovation capability in the Chengdu (right) -Chongqing (left) region has steadily improved. (Photo/Zhang Kunkun)

Nearly 20 collaborative innovation alliances

Since 2020, numerous collaborative innovation alliances have been established in various fields within the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, totaling nearly 20.

For instance, the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle High-Tech Zone Collaborative Innovation Strategic Alliance, initiated by 12 national-level high-tech zones in Sichuan and Chongqing, along with 26 provincial-level high-tech zones, aims to facilitate economic and technological cooperation between the two regions on a larger scale and higher level.

This initiative seeks to promote the high-quality development of high-tech zones, providing robust support for constructing the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle.

Furthermore, five key laboratories co-established by Sichuan and Chongqing have been jointly recognized. Among them, the key laboratory for innovation and utilization of native plant germplasm focuses on in-depth research in the conservation of native plant germplasm resources, germplasm innovation, breeding of new varieties, and research on cultivation physiology and growth regulation.

China-Europe international joint innovation centers

The Chengdu-Chongqing region is set to collaborate in creating world-class industrial clusters in automotive, electronic information, equipment manufacturing, and related high-tech service industrial agglomeration zones. 

This initiative will foster the development of national-level high-tech industrialization bases in hydrogen energy, high-end oral equipment, military intelligent equipment, medical isotopes, and radiopharmaceuticals.

The region is also committed to advancing the construction of the national new generation artificial intelligence innovation development experimental zone, the national artificial intelligence innovation application pilot zone, and the national digital economy innovation development experimental zone. 

It supports establishing demonstration scenarios for the next generation of artificial intelligence, aiming to become a model for intelligent innovation development in big data.

To propel Chengdu-Chongqing into the global innovation network, joint efforts are underway to establish an international technology transfer center to strengthen and consolidate country-specific industrial parks in nations such as China, Korea, Germany, France, and others.

Additionally, initiatives involve establishing and optimizing joint innovation centers, such as the China-Europe Center, and creating national technology transfer institutions in collaboration with Austria, Belarus, Hungary, and other nations.

To enhance collaboration, strategic memoranda of understanding for technological innovation have been signed with Hungary and other nations, establishing multi-level mechanisms for technical innovation cooperation among governments, universities, and enterprises.