Shanghai recently released a new policy to accelerate frontier technology innovation and the development of future industries.

Future industries refer to emerging sectors that are still in the early stages of development but have the potential to reshape the economy through breakthrough technologies.

I. Key goals

By 2027, Shanghai aims to:

• Achieve breakthroughs in several disruptive frontier technologies
• Establish a number of future industry clusters
• Cultivate about 20 leading enterprises in future industries

By 2030, the city plans to:

• Nurture multiple mature future industries
• Form new strategic emerging sectors
• Become a global leader in future industries

II. Focus areas

The policy outlines six main areas for development:

• Future manufacturing
• Future information
• Future materials
• Future energy
• Future space
• Future health

Shanghai will promote innovation in fields such as cell and gene therapy, brain-computer interfaces, bio-manufacturing, embodied intelligence, 6G, photonics, quantum technology, and regenerative medicine.

III. How Shanghai will do it

Strengthen core research

• Focus on high-risk, high-value frontier technologies
• Tackle key scientific challenges
• Turn lab results into industrial applications

Support innovative enterprises

• Encourage leading tech companies to plan ahead for new sectors
• Build a support system for startups at different growth stages
• Provide targeted funding and R&D incentives

Build future industry clusters

• Develop innovation clusters in areas such as Pudong New Area, Minhang district, Yangpu district, and Lin-gang Special Area
• Create national-level pilot zones for future industries
• Offer dedicated policy and infrastructure support

Strengthen key enablers

The policy provides full-spectrum support across five key areas: products, scenarios, finance, talent, and cooperation.

• Encourage large-scale application of innovative products
• Open up pilot scenarios to speed up testing and iteration
• Leverage a 15-billion-yuan (about $2.10 billion) future industry fund to boost investment
• Build an open innovation community linking scientists, entrepreneurs, and investors
• Strengthen international cooperation in technology and innovation

Source: Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology