The ultra-fast transient experimental facility program begins construction on May 27 at West (Chongqing) Science City, Southwest China's Chongqing. The program, which explores the most cutting-edge science, is reportedly being led by research teams from Chongqing University. [Photo/Chongqing University]

The 2021 Pujiang Innovation Forum, organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology and Shanghai Municipal Government, ran from May 31 to June 4. Chongqing, guest city of honor for the event, shared its experiences of innovation-driven development with the rest of China.

Under the leadership of the Party and the central government, Chongqing's scientific and technological cause has taken off, with more progress being made in science and a stronger capacity to innovate.

The figures speak for themselves. Chongqing's scientific and technological contribution to the municipality's economy now stands at 58.6 percent of the total. It ranks seventh in China and first in West China in terms of its comprehensive scientific innovation level index. It has also seen recognition of its achievements in the global community.

The West (Chongqing) Science City has established partnerships with 43 R&D institutions, including United Microelectronics Center, Peking University Chongqing Big Data Research Institute. It has constructed 296 national key laboratories and technological innovation bases, and arranged 44 cooperative programs with Chongqing-based universities and research teams.

Chongqing Liangjiang Coordinative Zone features a "scientific innovation + industry" model, and has been home to 35 research institutions. Through the construction of Mingyuehu High-tech Park, the zone is shaping a research and industrial system based on enterprises'demands.

Chongqing's 13 high-tech zones are now developing many emerging businesses – chips, robots, bio-medicine and AI. The technology companies of these zones amount to more than 30 percent of the municipality's total, with their industrial output value exceeding 40 percent of Chongqing's whole industrial value.

During the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20), the contribution rates of Chongqing's high-tech sector and strategic emerging sector to municipal industrial growth reached 37.9 percent and 55.7 percent respectively, and the added value of its digital economy surged by more than 18 percent compared with its previous performance.