Mayor Wang Zhongbing

The Zhanjiang municipal government has placed emphasis on the development of institutions of higher learning and cooperation between those institutions and various local sectors. Banking on the advantages of education and research, the local government has been exploring ways of promoting the close alliance between technology and industries to facilitate the city’s development. Since the first joint conference between the Zhanjiang government and institutions of higher learning, the two sides have been meeting regularly to discuss matters of common concern, seek solutions to problems and make action plans. The two sides have enhanced communication and understanding, paving the way for deepening future cooperation, which has huge potential.

In the ongoing new round of rapid development, Zhanjiang is building three “industrial aircraft carriers”, namely the iron and steel, petrochemical and paper-making industries, and five industrial clusters ( home appliances, food, pharmaceuticals, equipment manufacturing and energy) to create a modern industrial system. The city is implementing a plan to build three ring roads, connecting to high-speed railways, extending expressways to every county, linking up every town and realizing access to roads in every village. It is working strenuously to develop Haidong New District and the Central Business District and to renovate obsolete towns, factory buildings and villages. It aims to develop into a large city with the expansion of the eastern part of the city and higher quality development of the western part. A number of industries in Zhanjiang have reached international levels, but technology, innovation, talent and the city itself have yet to catch up. Issues top on the agenda include relatively weak innovation capacity and low contribution by technology to economic growth. Innovation is dependent on technology, education and talent, as well as support from institutions of higher learning. It is a prime time to deepen cooperation with those institutions.

Build a southern ‘maritime valley’ with the support of two platforms

The two platforms refer to the joint conference between the city government and institutions of higher learning and the technological innovation alliance. The alliance has received strong support from the provincial department of science and technology, the provincial economic and information commission, and the provincial development and reform commission. Three alliances have been established for home appliances, the oceanic sector and pharmaceuticals industries with Lingnan Normal University, Guangdong Ocean University and the Zhanjiang campus of Guangdong Medical College. The three alliances create a desirable platform, promoting our advantages and making up for our weaknesses. The southern “maritime valley” can only be developed by relying on the two platforms and harnessing support in oceanic technology, talent, industries and education.