As China’s first international cooperation demonstration zone on innovation, the Beijing China-Japan Innovation & Cooperation Demonstration Zone (hereinafter referred to as “demonstration zone”) is a major project in the 14th Five-Year Plan period and an important driver for Beijing to advance the “two zones” initiative. The reporter learned from the Beijing Municipal Commission of Planning and Natural Resources yesterday that the Regulatory Plan (Draft) for Beijing China-Japan Innovation & Cooperation Demonstration Zone at Block Level has been worked out and is now under a 30-day notice period for public opinions.

In November 2020, the demonstration zone was officially approved by the National Development and Reform Commission. Unlike China-Japan industrial parks in other domestic localities that focus solely on certain single industries, the demonstration zone leverages the capital city’s strength in resources to help create an international ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship with a focus on technological innovation. At the same time, it will act as a trailblazer in fields like international protection of intellectual property rights and further expand the high-level opening-up.

The draft plan states that the demonstration zone will serve as a new venue for international exchanges and cooperation, a role model of innovation-driven development and cooperation, a new cluster of high-end industries, and a pacesetter for reform and opening-up of the capital. By doing so, it will add green, pleasant, innovative and trendy elements to the city.

The spatial structure of the demonstration zone features “one axis, one belt, three cores and three areas”. “One axis” is the extension of the south-central axis[u1] . The demonstration zone will be more integrated with the south-central axis extension to create unique venues and experience. “One belt” refers to the nine-kilometer innovation belt that connects various areas from north to south. “Three cores” are innovation and R&D, life services and intelligent manufacturing. “Three areas” are the areas supporting the “three cores”.

According to the draft plan, the innovation and R&D area, which is located at Xihongmen Township and covers an area of about 3.5 square kilometers, is to create a regional center for business offices and landscape. The life services area, which is located at Yinghai Township and Qingyundian Township and covers an area of about 3.6 square kilometers, is to build a regional center for business services. The intelligent manufacturing area, which is located at Suncun Village of Huangcun Township with an area of about 2.4 square kilometers, is to foster a regional center for science and technology services.

In terms of functional zoning, the draft plan proposes that the commercial area will attract high-quality domestic and foreign enterprises by creating an enabling international business environment. Subway stations will be built to support this area of business offices and services. The R&D and manufacturing area will be built into a demonstration zone for industry-academia-research cooperation by introducing specialized and sophisticated enterprises that produce new and unique products, hidden champion enterprises and “little giant” enterprises.

In terms of the industrial layout, the demonstration zone plans to build a high-end industrial cluster with a focus on the medical and health industry. The advanced intelligent manufacturing industry will be fostered. It will also innovate in the development of the digital economy, and boost the high-quality development of professional services.

The draft plan suggests that the demonstration zone will be equipped with high-standard public service facilities. The land area for basic education facilities per 1,000 people will reach 3,984 square meters. The beds in nursing facilities per 1,000 people will arrive at 9.5. The per capita building area of public cultural facilities will achieve 0.45 square meters. The location of transportation stations will best suit people’s needs and multiple means of transportation will be made available. The demonstration area will save areas for blue waters and green forests by building three large-scale parks and a number of community parks. The per capita public green space area will reach 20 square meters, and residents can reach a public green space within the radius of 500 meters.

(Reporter: Chen Xuening)