Shanghai needs to further increase its input in scientific research in order to enhance its competitive edge, said Chen Liangyu, Party secretary of Shanghai yesterday.
Chen made the comments yesterday while awarding the city's leading scientists.
Shanghai's input in scientific study, though increasing 83 percent during the past five years, only accounted for 1.89 percent of the city's gross domestic product, compared with an average level of 5 percent in other major international cities, according to statistics released at yesterday's conference.
Shanghai is now entering a "crucial period of industrial restructuring and upgrading," said Chen.
As the city's per capita GDP is expected to grow from nearly US$5,000 at present to US$7,500 in 2007, human resources and land costs will also increase, noted Chen.
"Only scientific innovation can help the city increase its competitive edge, especially in high-tech and service sectors," said Chen.
The city will achieve its aim of becoming the country's international economic, finance, trade and shipping center by 2010, according to the central government's plans.
During the past five years, the city has constantly been increasing its efforts in scientific study.
The number of new registered patents in Shanghai has increased nearly fivefold in the past five years.
Scientific innovation contributed to 53 percent of the city's economic growth last year, according to official statistics.
In 2002, Shanghai scientists won 31 State-level scientific innovation awards, accounting for 12 percent of the total.
Major scientific achievements in Shanghai last year covered high-definition digital television network, high-throughput drug screening and genome sequencing.
A total of 313 local science research projects were awarded by the city's government yesterday, with more than half of the winners aged below 40.
(China Daily April 11, 2003)
