Inner Mongolia innovation to get boost from eight science zones

By Zhong Nan in Beijing and Yuan Hui in Hohhot (China Daily USA)

Updated: 2017-03-02

Eight scientific research zones are to be established in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology.

The eight zones - which bring the national total to 46 - will aim to promote innovation-driven economic growth and enhance China's international cooperation in the field.

The list was recently released by the Ministry of Science and Technology, which includes 46 science zones across the nation.

The aim of the zones is to enable China to take advantage of global scientific resources and increase its international influence in certain industries.

The eight zones, which involve a number of well-known brands such as Yili Industrial Group Co Ltd, are in cities including Hulunbuir, Ordos and Baotou, covering the agriculture, animal husbandry, rare earth materials, and clean energy sectors.

"Inner Mongolia has built-in advantages in terms of both its natural environment and its species. With these scientific zones, Inner Mongolia could absorb international science and technology power to make a better use of its resources," said Yu Guangjun, director of the Institute of Economics at the Inner Mongolia Academy of Social Sciences.

One of the highlights of these zones, which offers great potential for international cooperation, will be the development of the rare earths industry, a major sector in Inner Mongolia.

Wang Yan, a senior engineer at the Baotou Research Institute of Rare Earths, said: "In recent years, our company has built up connections with various countries such as the US, Japan, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, and France, launching projects on a global scale, covering aspects of the research and development of mineral resources and environmentally friendly materials."

"Our foreign investment has amounted to more than 20 million yuan ($3 million) in recent years," said Wang.

Zhang Jianqiu, chief executive officer of dairy giant Yili Industrial Group Co Ltd, which is benefiting from the establishment of the zones, said Yili has long been devoted to integrating onshore and offshore research and development resources and establishing a global innovation network.

According to Zhang, Yili has already set up a global network covering Asia, Europe, Oceania and the Americas. Its high-tech and high-added-value work now accounts for more than 40 percent of its total business. In addition, it launches new products at an annual rate of more than 100.

Yu, from the Inner Mongolia Academy of Social Sciences, added that the scientific research zones will contribute to raising China's independent research and development level, and enhancing its global scientific and technological competitiveness.

These aspects are important as China seeks to upgrade its economy, he added.

"We feel honored to be recognized as one of the eight scientific zones in Inner Mongolia. We are devoted to ensuring our regional horse industry boost the scientific and economic development of Inner Mongolia, and further benefit China as a whole," said Pamir, founder and general manager of Ewenki Kexing Horse Industry Co Ltd.

Contact the writers at zhongnan@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily USA 03/02/2017 page14)