Innovation Parks – China’s Emerging Prowness

A recent survey reveals the ranking of countries for overall innovativeness as of 2009 with Singapore in first place, and China in 33rd Place. For the time period from 1999 to 2009, a survey reveals China in First Place based on rate of change in becoming more innovative compared with other countries, with Singapore in second place. Notably the United States placed 6th and 40th, respectively for each category, most innovative, and most innovative rate of change. Despite the rapid changes and perceptions, the United States clearly remains in a commanding position from an innovation standpoint, and has the highest potential at realizing in the technological fields primarily because of its continued leadership in key technology fields, its wherewithal and cultural approach for innovation.

A list from Battelle of the top ten most strategic technological trends that will shape business and our world over the next twenty years:

1. Genetic based Medical and Health Care
2. High Power Energy Packages
3. Green Integrated Technology
4. Omnipresent Computing
5. Nanomachines
6. Personalized Public Transportation
7. Designer Foods and Crops
8. Intelligent Goods and Appliances
9. Worldwide Inexpensive and Safe Water
10. Super Senses

Just how did this rapid ascension happen for China? Over the last 20 years, China has adopted the Science Park Concept, much like what the US employed during the 1940s which began with the Stanford University leasing of property for radar research and development, which foreshadowed the Silicon Valley today. Its version of Silicon Valley is the ZhangJiang Hi-Tech park established in 1992. Its world class labs along new tree lined streets and offices attracted foreign companies since it was planned to be a concentrated center of global intellectual exchange – a scientific counterpart to China’s capitalistic special economic zones from the 1980s and 1990s. There are now 52 science parks just like ZhangJiang throughout China. And as China in terms of percentage of GDP surpasses Japan to become the world’s second largest investor in research and development, many are developing into various stages of “China’s Silicon Valley”.

Beyond the science parks, China is re-modeling its manufacturing destiny as demonstrably in its Binhai New Area of high tech industries, cutting edge research institutes all along the 75 miles from Beijing to Tianjin – much like the tech corridor found along I-88 in Chicago to West Aurora. Along this stretch are 70 square miles of pharmaceuticals and renewable energy, along with an additional 40 square miles for airplane manufacturing; also 33 engineering centers. In this free trade area over a quarter of the world’s cell phone manufacturing is made. However, China needs more than manufacturing, where it has been dependent on outside consumers to drive its economy, the rise of high tech industries will attract globally diverse talent to fuel the ascension to a stronger economy with the rationale that higher paying jobs will give Chinese consumers disposable income to fuel their economy. It also means cleaner jobs, less pollution from the smoke belching factories.

Carefully calculated science parks expansion in China mean reduced costs for specialists and facilities that equal those found in the United States and Europe, and make a persuasive argument for out sourcing. More than 90% of all Ph.D. holding scientists and engineers will be living in Asia according to Richard Smalley, Nobel prize winning Chemist. 78% of all Ph.D. awarded are earned outside of the United States and nearly one third of all Ph.Ds in the US are awarded to non-Americans. Asians are targeting younger scientific fields that hold the potential for rich discoveries. Just a couple of years ago after making nanotechnology a national priority, China became the second highest contributor to nanotechnology journals in 2005. China plans to focus on nine major special projects in the next few years including Integrated circuits, software, new generation mobile communications, next generation Internet, digital voice and video technologies, advanced computing, biological medicines, commercial aircraft, satellites and new materials.

As noted from Jung Lowe, Professor at  John Marshall Law School on Innovation Parks in China – Hi-Tech Communities that improve IP Rights. Attract Investors and Technology and support for New Foreign R&D Center.