CIIDS Innovation-Dirven Research Center Founded in Beijing

Lü Benfu, vice chairman of CIIDS and professor of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, serves as the executive president of the Center. The vice presidents engaged by the Center are: Xiao Xin, researcher at the Institute of Process Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Liu Chunxiao, deputy secretary-general of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Incubation Alliance of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences and deputy director of the Haidian District Theoretical Communication Committee of the China National Democratic Construction Association, and Zhou Changqing, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Mentor at Zhongguancun and UCAS and co-founder of Keqing Zhiku (Beijing) Science and Technology Research Institute. Experts and scholars in the field of innovation and entrepreneurship, such as professor of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Zhang Lingling and Business Assets Office Director Zhao Shuo, are engaged as researchers.

At the founding ceremony, President Lü introduced the background, purpose and work plans of the Center and expressed gratitude towards the leaders, experts and entrepreneurs who attended the ceremony. He vowed to lead the team to learn, study, interpret and implement the National Innovation-Driven Development Strategy according to the needs of the regions, their advantageous industries and strategically planned industries. He said that the Center shall pool high-end innovative talents and entrepreneurs, transfer the innovation capabilities and experience of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, integrate the innovative power of Zhongguancun and bring resources to different regions, in order to help traditional enterprises research and develop new technologies and products, help local regions to cultivate new enterprises, thereby achieving comprehensive upgrade of local economies.

Chairman of CIIDS Zheng Bijian delivered a closing speech, expressing high hopes for the prospects of the Center. He said that the CPC has always prioritized productivity and that the founding of the Center is aimed at enhancing the productivity of the Chinese people. As China marks the 40th anniversary of reform and opening up, it is of great significance to embark on such a task at such a critical moment, and “we must spare no effort to make it a success,” said Zheng.

The CIIDS Innovation-Dirven Research Center is the first organization devoted to the research of innovation-driven development practices. Armed with the rich resources and innovative capabilities of CIIDS, the Center will offer strategic guidance and practical assistance to the regional innovation-driven social and economic development according to their specific and practical needs. At the same time, it will draw experience from typical cases, and report severe issues to the competent decision-making departments. The first mandate of the Center is to dispatch a group of researchers to study the pilot cities, with preferential consideration given to third-, fourth- or fifth-tier cities that have strong will but lack strong foundations for innovation. The eligible cities are welcome to submit their applications.

Other guests present at the ceremony include: Hao Yeli, Deputy Chairman of CIIDS; Wu Yin, former Deputy Director of the National Energy Administration; Wang Yanfen, Vice President of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Wang Boyong, Deputy Chairman and Secretary-General of CIIDS; Executive Vice Secretary-General Mu Weimin and Vice Secretary-General Meng Changlin; Zhu Hao, Director of Innovative Development Department; and Zhang Chunsheng, Commercial Representative of Changge Municipal Government in Beijing.