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Boasting 27 higher learning institutions, around 100 technological research institutes and more than 40 national and provincial-level laboratories, Changchun is already well-established as the scientific, technological and educational hub of northeast China.
In recent years, save for the success of city's nationally renowned automobile industry, most of the city's business sectors have failed to capitalize on the homegrown expertise of these academic and R&D resources.
An aerial view of the pioneering zone earmarked for Jilin's strategic hi-tech program.
In a bid to stem the brain drain, which has seen many of the its keenest minds and most inspired ideas snared by the bright lights of the likes of Beijing and Shanghai, Changchun's local authorities are now planning to establish the Changchun Northeast Innovation Center, with the expectation of converting the city's technological advantages into economic benefits.
The innovation center is also a part of the expansion program of the Changchun Hi-tech Development Zone.
According to the administration committee of the hi-tech zone, the planning and design of the center will be completed by the end of this year. This is a 12.5 sq km development to be constructed in three phases.
The first phase is scheduled to be operational by September 2011 and second and third phases will be operational by September 2013 and March 2015.
According to the committee, the major tasks facing the new center will be helping research institutes and higher learning institutes start up R&D and production facilities, facilitating technology transfer between research institutes and production enterprises, offering personnel training, promoting international cooperation and providing financial assistance.
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