Shenzhen is now home to two national manufacturing innovation centers and will partake in establishing another in Chengdu, capital of Southwestern China’s Sichuan Province, tying Beijing for first place in the country, local legislators were told at a briefing meeting Tuesday.

A guidance issued in 2020 by the State Council on supporting Shenzhen in building a pilot demonstration zone for socialism with Chinese characteristics has clarified that Shenzhen will be supported to set up manufacturing innovation centers in high-end future communication devices and high-precision medical apparatus and instruments.

The National Innovation Center for Advanced Medical Devices in Longhua District, approved in 2020, was jointly established by a number of heavyweight institutions and companies, including the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co. Ltd., one of the leading global providers of medical devices and solutions. The center, the only one of its kind in the country, specializes in high-end medical imaging, in vitro diagnosis, advanced treatment, implant intervention devices, and rehabilitation and health information. It is committed to making breakthroughs in core technologies that are key to the medical industry’s development.

Among the center’s 150 employees, 70% are researchers who have carried out projects such as handheld ultrasonic chips and biodegradable medical polymer materials for implants.

In 2021, the National Innovation Center for Advanced Radio Frequency Devices project in Futian District was given the go-ahead by the Central Government. The facility aims to become a world-class fundamental technology innovation center for future communication. The center’s 5G industrial technology league has so far boasted nearly 400 members, covering half of national innovation platforms across the country in the sector. The center has applied for 65 national patents.

Last month, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology authorized Bohua UHD based in Longgang District to partner with a Sichuan company to jointly establish the National Ultra-high-definition Video Innovation Center in Chengdu.

China has constructed 23 national manufacturing innovation centers, according to a report from People’s Daily in October. Innovation is now considered a priority in developing the manufacturing industry to make the sector healthier and more robust.