In a few short  months, progress at the Yinchuan (Shenzhen) New Quality Productive Forces Sci-tech Innovation Center has exceeded expectations. A recent quarterly operations report issued by the center, which officially launched at the end of 2024, shows it has already made significant strides in attracting external resources, supporting local enterprises, and fostering innovation-driven development.

Located in China's northwest, Yinchuan, capital of Ningxia Hui autonomous region, is leveraging sci-tech cooperation to bridge the geographic and economic gap with coastal areas like the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. A centerpiece of this strategy is the establishment of off-site R&D centers — where companies set up research operations in innovation hubs far from their home base.

The Yinchuan (Shenzhen) Innovation Center is a manifestation of this vision, providing a multi-functional platform that integrates showcasing industries, R&D incubation, sci-tech cooperation, investment matchmaking and talent recruitment.

Future modern industrial hub

As a regional center in the Yellow River basin, Yinchuan contributes nearly 40 percent of Ningxia's fiscal revenue and over half of its GDP. In recent years, the city has prioritized the development of emerging industries, including new materials, new energy industries and innovative food production.

By leveraging the abundant resources of Shenzhen and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area — such as investments, advanced technologies and top-tier personnel — Yinchuan is positioning itself as a modern industrial hub.

The concept of establishing remote R&D centers is not new to Yinchuan. Several forward-thinking export-oriented companies, with strong innovation capabilities and markets outside the region, have already pioneered this model.

Talent recruitment and tech innovation

The impact of Yinchuan's remote R&D centers is already visible, especially in talent recruitment and high-tech research.

Twelve companies have established operations at the Yinchuan (Shenzhen) New Quality Productive Forces Sci-Tech Innovation Center, spanning key sectors such as advanced materials, equipment manufacturing, and electronic information — core industries for both the region and the city.

Company-established off-site R&D centers are delivering results. To date, they've launched 76 research projects, 54 of which have been successfully implemented in Yinchuan. These centers have obtained 143 patents and attracted more than 150 skilled personnel and seven innovation teams.

Government support a catalyst

The rapid success of Yinchuan's off-site R&D centers owes much to strong government support.

In 2023, Yinchuan introduced a policy to support registered R&D centers with annual rewards of up to one million RMB. These centers also receive equal access to talented personnel, projects, and incentive policies. Promising centers have been recommended for further recognition and support from Ningxia's Science and Technology Department.

Yinchuan is building a synchronized "off-site talent base," integrating academic and research resources from outside the region. Through joint projects and talent development programs, over 100 experts and engineers have already joined the city's innovation ecosystem.