Guangdong Technological Innovation Conference was held in Guzhen Town to assign technological reform and promote transformation and upgrading of specialized towns.

On July 19, Guangdong Technological Innovation Conference was held in Guzhen Town, Zhongshan City to assign technological reform and promote transformation and upgrading of specialized towns. Governor Zhu Xiaodan presided over the conference and Provincial Party Secretary Wang Yang made an important speech on the conference.

Provincial Party Secretary Wang pointed out that reform and innovation were of overriding importance for the unprecedented achievements Guangdong Province has scored in the last 30 years. Especially the new round of technological innovation that Guangdong took initiative to launch 10 years ago has promoted the effective combination of technology and economy and resulted in a historical leap in technology and innovation. Now Guangdong is in the critical phase of a new era and is confronted with the big challenge of transforming the mode of economic development for further progress. To make this happen, we have to deepen the reform of technological system. Every one of us has to realize the urgency. We should be clear of the way and the targets of the reform. We have to stick to a market-oriented technological reform, to formulate a new system friendly to innovation, and to focus on key issues. Our aim is to create a new innovation system by 2015 suitable for our economic demands, consistent with the law of science and economy, but with Guangdong characteristics.

Provincial Party Secretary Wang reiterated that enterprises should take a leading role in technological innovation and this is the key of this round of reform. Now most of the enterprises in Guangdong always dwell at the lower end of the global industrial chain and we have to upgrade them by improving their capability of independent innovation. The improvement on the innovation capability of an industry lies majorly in that of enterprises, so we have to form a system with enterprises taking a leading role in innovation and with a stress on the cooperation of production, teaching and research. The government should provide a service platform and optimize related laws and regulations to promote innovation in enterprises.

Wang stressed that we need to perfect regional innovation system to usher in a new time for technological reform in Guangdong Province. First, we should promote the combination of technology, industry and finance. Secondly, we should create a mechanism good for talent cultivation and use. Thirdly, we should provide good service for innovation. Fourthly, we should work on a system beneficial for cooperation and sharing. Fifthly, we should make innovation a common practice and consciousness among the public.

Governor Zhu Xiaodan introduced the development of specialized towns in Guangdong. In recent years, specialized towns have achieved a fast and sound improvement in scale and comprehensive strength. In 2011, the output value produced by specialized towns hit 1.64 trillion yuan, taking up 31% of the GDP of Guangdong Province. The statistics show that specialized towns have grown to be an important pillar of Guangdong’s economy. To make a successful technological reform, we need to fasten the transformation and upgrading of specialized towns. Governments should guide the specialized towns to develop higher-end and more characteristic economy, and create a good environment for their upgrading.

Zhongshan, as the host of this conference, also made a speech on Zhongshan’s determination to upgrade specialized towns and provide assistance to small, micro-enterprises. During the conference, delegates were arranged to visit the lighting industry in Guzhen Town.