- Province pushes firms to expand research as high-tech share rises
- New plan backs AI, robotics and materials with funding and platforms
Zhejiang aims to lift research spending by established industrial firms to 410 billion yuan ($60 billion) in 2026 and raise the share of high-tech industries in output to about 70%, as part of a new policy package designed to tighten the link between manufacturing and technological innovation.
The initiative, released by the provincial economy and information technology department, lays out 16 measures spanning corporate R&D, innovation platforms and commercialization, with a focus on making companies the main drivers of innovation.
Authorities will encourage industrial firms with annual main-business revenue of 20 million yuan and more to expand in-house research capabilities, targeting near-universal coverage of R&D units and activities, while maintaining tax incentives such as additional deductions for research spending.
Officials did not issue a specific sector-by-sector breakdown of the research spending, though.
Zhejiang also plans to recognize 5,000 high-tech enterprises and 12,000 small and medium-sized tech firms this year, while adding 100 provincial-level key enterprise research institutes and 130 corporate technology centers.
On the infrastructure front, the province will establish about three manufacturing innovation centers in areas including AI, low-altitude equipment and new materials, with an eye on upgrading some to national-level platforms.
It will also set up industry alliances in fields such as humanoid robotics and industrial AI agents, and build around 10 pilot-scale testing platforms.
To speed up commercialization, Zhejiang plans to approve 5,000 new industrial products or technologies and bring 500 first-of-their-kind products to market.
Additional measures include expanding joint hiring programs between companies and universities, setting up three training bases for top engineers, launching 15 industry-focused colleges and adding 50 provincial incubators, alongside fostering 10 leading technology service firms.
