Beijing will increasingly become a city for creativity and
innovation in the coming years, according to planning chiefs.
The gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in the capital
crossed the US$5,000 threshold for the first time last year.
Statistics indicated that the output of high-technology industries
in 2004 reached 182 billion yuan (US$22.4 billion), accounting for
19.5 percent of the city's GDP.
Zhang Gong, vice-director of Beijing Municipal Commission of
Development and Reform, told a press conference yesterday that
sectors such as high-end industries and the modern tertiary area
will be accelerated as the city manages to upgrade its current
economic and technological growths.
He added: "Self-innovative capability and the strength of the
economy within Beijing will play an increasingly important role now
that the GDP per capita has surpassed US$5,000."
Enterprises that consume large quantities of energy or severely
pollute the environment, such as mining and certain other
industries, could have to suspend production or even move out of
the capital as part of Beijing's development in the future, said
officials.
Reforms of government administration are also needed in pushing
forward the city's scientific and technological innovations, said
Yang Weiguang, vice-director of the Beijing Municipal Science and
Technology Commission.
"A market-oriented mechanism should be established for
enterprises, which are the main force behind innovation," he
added.
The press conference was held on the sideline of the municipal
people's congress, which is adopting a new five-year development
plan for the city.
Mayor Wang
Qishan said on Sunday the draft plan outlined proposals to make
Beijing a "primary innovative city."
The number of personnel that undertake research and scientific
studies should reach 350,000, including 300,000 scientists and
engineers, which accounts for 23 percent of the total number in the
country, said Zhang Zude, an official from the municipal personnel
bureau.
(China Daily January 17, 2006)
