Shenzhen has topped the country in International Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications, ranking first among major cities in China for the 20th consecutive year last year, according to a news conference on high-quality development held by the city government Thursday.
According to the press conference, Shenzhen's investment in research and development (R&D) exceeded 188 billion yuan (US$26 billion) in 2023, accounting for 5.81% of its GDP.
Shenzhen has released plans to support universities in building scientific research platforms. It has supported the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) in building a national center for applied mathematics and will continue to support local universities in independently or jointly establishing key national laboratories.
Shenzhen has also vigorously courted top scientists to work in the city. So far, Shenzhen has attracted over 6.79 million talented people of various kinds, 25,000 high-level professionals, and over 200,000 overseas returnees to work in the city.
At the same time, universities in Shenzhen are accelerating efforts to establish new majors, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, brain science, and the low-altitude economy. These areas of expertise are urgently needed for the development of new technologies and industries deemed crucial to the city's high-quality development.
This year, three local universities are set to introduce AI majors, two universities will introduce integrated circuitry majors, and three universities are set to introduce majors related to the low-altitude economy, as announced at the news conference.
Shenzhen has built eight universities in 10 years. The number of universities and colleges in Shenzhen has reached 17. Moreover, a total of six university disciplines have entered the top 1% of ESI rankings, and 44 disciplines are among the top 1% of ESI rankings.
In the next three to five years, local universities will strive to add two to four new disciplines included in the national "double first-class" initiative, a major commitment made by the Chinese Government to improve China's higher education power and international competitiveness.
At present, Shenzhen's universities boast 690 scientific research platforms in various categories, including 19 national-level innovative platforms.
In terms of basic education, Shenzhen has added 544,000 new school places in the past three years. This year, Shenzhen will host a science festival for primary and secondary school students.