Shanghai introduced a new policy on frontier technology innovation and future industry development on Oct 11, with plans to develop innovation clusters in key areas like Pudong New Area.

Zhangjiang, designated as one of Shanghai's first future industry pioneer zones, has witnessed the emergence of future industry clusters in sectors like embodied intelligence and silicon photonics. [Photo/WeChat ID: pdnews]

Pudong boasts a robust foundation for future industry development, with 14 national large-scale scientific facilities, either completed, under construction, or planned, and a group of top-tier R&D institutions. A number of high-level innovation platforms in frontier fields, including the National and Local Co-Built Humanoid Robotics Innovation Center and the Shanghai Synthetic Biology Innovation Center, have also been established.

Model Power Community is a large-scale AI model industry cluster in Shanghai. [Photo/WeChat ID: pdnews]

In line with the policy, Pudong will make efforts on four fronts:

1. Targeted focus on key sectors: Pudong will develop the Zhangjiang AI Innovation Town, concentrate on future information, future manufacturing, and future health, accelerate technological breakthroughs, expand real-world applications, attract and nurture enterprises, and gather talent.

2. Increased supply of innovation and entrepreneurship space: Pudong will provide 1 million square meters of youth apartments and 1 million square meters of entrepreneurship space at low rents.

3. Leveraging financial strengths: Pudong will give a play to the guiding role of various funds in Shanghai and explore the optimization of the venture capital system.

4. Enhancing policy support: Having unveiled specialized incentives for embodied intelligence, Zhangjiang AI Innovation Town, and more, Pudong will refine a future-oriented, open, and collaborative policy framework in the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), safeguarding the development of future industries.

Developing future industries is a strategic priority for reshaping industrial landscapes and marks a critical step for Shanghai in securing its position at the forefront of global technology.