China intends to make Shanghai the centerpiece of systematic innovation reform within the next three years with the planned construction of a comprehensive science center in the city.

This proposal was formalized during an executive meeting of the State Council that was presided by Premier Li Kequiang, reported China Daily.

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At the meeting, the State Council settled several key issues which included letting Shanghai  enjoy more flexible policies in research funding, the transfer of scientific research findings, greater collaboration between universities and local enterprises.

Moreover, Shanghai's local government will make it easier for companies operating in the area to do business, while streamlining foreign investment procedures.

Aside from the establishment of the Shanghai science center, new independent districts for innovation will also be set up in Central, East and Northeast China as part of the Central Government's efforts to boost innovation-driven development and supply-side economic reform.

In particular, the three regions that will be the site of these "innovation districts" are Henan province (Zhengzhou, Luoyang and Xinxiang), the Shandong Peninsula and Liaoning province (Shenyang and Dalian).

Over the past seven years, China has set up 11 self-innovation demonstration areas. These include the Zhongguancun technology hub in Beijing, which was the first of its kind established in the country.

According to Shi Yulong, a researcher at the the National Development and Research Center, these initiatives, which include the proposed Shanghai science center, are in line with the national government's goal of upgrading the industrial capacity of the country's central and northern region.

"China's east, central and west regions have faced a large economic gap due to the opening-up policy in the 1980s," Shi said.

"Now a gap is emerging between the north and the south, as northern China faces bigger challenges in upgrading such industries as iron, steel and coal," she added.

Once established, the Shanghai science center will be a testament to China's continuing efforts to strengthen the country's industrial sector by capitalizing on the strengths of each region.  

TagsShanghai, china, Science Center, Premier Li Keqiang