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Chengdu Declares Itself a Global Innovation Powerhouse in 14th Five-Year Plan

  //science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. nnovation-powerhouse-in-14th-five-year-plan.html
  Published in Science and Technology on Tuesday, December 2nd 2025 at 3:56 GMT by FinanzNachrichten.de

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Chengdu Declares Itself a Global Innovation Powerhouse – A Deep Dive into the City’s 14th Five‑Year Plan

In a recent release on Finanznachrichten, the Chengdu Science and Technology Bureau announced that the city has emerged as a “global innovation hub” during the 14th Five‑Year Plan (2021‑2025). The article, which pulls data from the Bureau’s official website, a series of government press releases, and key academic reports, paints a comprehensive picture of Chengdu’s ambitions, the policy measures it has enacted, and the tangible results it has already begun to realize. Below is a 500‑plus‑word summary of the main points covered in the story and the linked sources that give the full context.

1. The 14th Five‑Year Plan – A Strategic Blueprint

China’s 14th Five‑Year Plan places a premium on innovation-led growth, aiming to upgrade the country’s industrial base and transition from “quantity” to “quality.” The Chengdu Science and Technology Bureau’s report situates the city’s strategy within this national framework, noting that:

• GDP Growth Target: Chengdu is expected to achieve a 7.5 % growth rate for its technology and high‑value‑added sectors, outpacing the national average of 6.5 %.
• Innovation Index: The city aims to climb from its current 24th position in the national Innovation Index to the top ten by 2025, with a particular focus on digital economy, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing.
• R&D Expenditure: An increase of 20 % in the annual R&D budget, with a target of 7.5 % of the city’s GDP being allocated to research and development.

These quantitative goals are supported by qualitative policy documents linked in the article, such as the “Chengdu 14th Five‑Year Innovation Action Plan” and the “National High‑Tech Development Strategy.”

2. Key Innovation Clusters

The Bureau highlights three core clusters that will drive Chengdu’s transformation:

a. Artificial Intelligence & Big Data

• Investment: Over CNY 30 billion (≈US$4.4 billion) pledged to AI parks and data centers.
• Talent Attraction: Partnerships with universities (e.g., Sichuan University) to launch AI doctoral programs and an annual “Chengdu AI Scholarship” for international PhDs.
• Industry Collaboration: Incentives for domestic giants (Baidu, Tencent) to set regional R&D hubs.

b. Biotechnology & Life Sciences

• Infrastructure: Construction of the Chengdu Life Science Park, slated to host 150 labs and 5 biotech incubators by 2025.
• Funding: CNY 20 billion in seed grants for early‑stage life‑science startups, with a 3‑year tax credit program for clinical trial facilities.
• International Partnerships: Joint research agreements with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and overseas universities in Boston and Cambridge.

c. Advanced Manufacturing & Digital Twin

• Smart Factories: The city aims to convert 40 % of its manufacturing plants into “smart factories” using Industry 4.0 technologies.
• Digital Twin Initiative: Creation of a city‑wide digital twin model to optimize logistics, energy usage, and emergency response.

The article quotes officials from the Chengdu Development and Reform Commission who emphasize that these clusters are not isolated; rather, they are woven into a cross‑sector “innovation ecosystem” that encourages collaboration between academia, industry, and the public sector.

3. Talent Strategy – “Talent + Innovation”

A critical theme throughout the article is Chengdu’s talent strategy, described as a “talent + innovation” model. Measures include:

• International Talent Visas: A new visa category “Chengdu Innovation Talent” with a simplified 180‑day residency and tax exemptions.
• Graduate Attraction: Scholarships for PhDs who commit to working in Chengdu for at least five years.
• Talent Clustering: Dedicated “innovation districts” around existing universities, with integrated housing, childcare, and transport subsidies.

Linking to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security’s policy memorandum, the Bureau notes that Chengdu plans to recruit over 50,000 high‑skill professionals by 2025, a 30 % increase from the 2020 cohort.

4. Infrastructure – Powering Innovation

The article also underscores the importance of infrastructural support:

• High‑Speed Internet: Expansion of 5G and fiber‑optic networks to all 20 of Chengdu’s districts.
• Green Energy: Solar farms and wind turbines planned to supply 15 % of the city’s power by 2025, supporting clean‑energy‑centric tech firms.
• Smart Mobility: Autonomous taxi trials and a “Smart Traffic” platform to reduce congestion and emissions.

Official data from the Chengdu Municipal Bureau of Planning and Construction confirms that 75 % of the city’s new roads and bridges will incorporate “intelligent transport” systems.

5. Outcomes & Early Successes

While the 14th Five‑Year Plan is still in its early years, the article cites several early wins:

• Innovation Index Rise: Chengdu jumped from 24th to 18th place in the national ranking by the end of 2023.
• Start‑Up Growth: The Chengdu Venture Capital Fund, launched in 2021, has invested in 120 startups, with a combined valuation of over CNY 10 billion.
• Patent Activity: A 25 % increase in domestic patents filed by Chengdu‑based entities between 2022 and 2024.

These metrics are drawn from the Chinese Intellectual Property Office’s quarterly reports, which the article references through embedded hyperlinks.

6. Challenges and Future Outlook

Despite the optimism, the piece also cautions against complacency:

• Competition: Cities like Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou are also vying for the same high‑tech talent and investment.
• Supply Chain Resilience: The global chip shortage highlighted the need for local semiconductor manufacturing capabilities.
• Regulatory Hurdles: Bureaucratic red tape can still slow down the approval of new labs and incubators.

In response, the Chengdu Science and Technology Bureau has pledged to streamline approval processes, reduce permitting times to under 30 days, and create a one‑stop “innovation concierge” office for foreign investors.

7. Concluding Remarks

The Finanznachrichten article, supplemented by links to the Chengdu Science and Technology Bureau’s official PDFs, Chinese National Bureau of Statistics releases, and university press statements, provides a granular look at how Chengdu is turning its ambition into action. By aligning its 14th Five‑Year Plan with national innovation goals, investing heavily in AI, biotech, and smart manufacturing, and aggressively courting top talent, Chengdu is positioning itself not merely as a regional powerhouse but as a global innovation hub.

For policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs reading this, the takeaway is clear: Chengdu’s policy ecosystem offers a fertile ground for high‑tech ventures, and the city’s momentum suggests that it will play a pivotal role in China’s next wave of innovation-driven growth.