Hai'an, a county-level city administered by Nantong in East China's Jiangsu province, held a conference on March 8 to release a series of policies supporting scientific and technological innovations.

The Opinions on Deepening the Reform of the New Scientific and Technological System and Accelerating the Construction of a Strong Scientific and Technological City was issued during the conference, along with 13 other policy documents specifying incentive mechanisms, including Strengthening the Science and Technology Management System.

They fit well with the Policy Opinions on Accelerating Innovation-Driven High-quality Economic Development that contain 36 policies supporting a range of sectors from sci-tech reforms to transformation of research achievements. Up to 1 million yuan ($153,900) will be rewarded to each project that successfully commercializes its scientific research results in Hai'an. Those whose scientific and technological achievements are identified as outstanding can receive 200,000 yuan. There are also incentives provided to inspire related explorations by youths.

To achieve leapfrog development through innovation, Hai'an should focus its efforts on optimization of its management system, expansion of innovation fields, cultivation of corporate entities, enhancement of major industrial carriers, construction of functional platforms, development of financial services for technology, creation of talent enclaves, and improvement of its innovative environment, according to Hai'an's Party chief Yu Lizhong.

A high-level sci-tech innovation committee will be set up to guide the work, coupled with a service system specially formed for overall planning and coordination. Sci-tech talent offices will be added in all districts and towns, employing full-time personnel for daily work.

Other measures include encouraging cooperation between enterprises in the same industry, creating national-level high-tech zones, building technology investment companies with market-oriented operations, developing science and technology insurance, and speeding up public listing of enterprises.