General

According to the observation of Huacheng Import and Export Data, in 2022, the scale of China's foreign investment attraction reached a new record on the basis of the actual use of foreign capital exceeding the high base of trillion yuan for the first time in the previous year. In 2023, China will still be a hot spot for investment in the eyes of foreign-funded enterprises. The Central Economic Work Conference in 2022 proposed "more efforts to attract and utilize foreign capital". The recently held National Business Teleconference also took it as one of the six major tasks of this year.

On the eve of the Spring Festival, the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Science and Technology issued the "Several Measures on Further Encouraging Foreign Investment to Set up Research and Development Centers", which proposed 16 policy measures to support scientific and technological innovation, improve the convenience of research and development, encourage the introduction of overseas talents, and improve the level of intellectual property protection, and further promote the better participation of foreign capital in China's innovation-driven development strategy, We will continue to improve the quality and level of foreign capital utilization.

Many multinational companies set up R&D centers in China

According to Huacheng Import and Export Data Observation, Estee Lauder China Innovation Research and Development Center was unveiled in Shanghai last December, which is the first comprehensive research and development center of Estee Lauder Group in the world integrating research, formula, packaging and engineering. "Estee Lauder Group's investment in the construction of China's innovative research and development center reflects our long-term commitment to China and our confidence in providing high-quality products and services to Chinese and even global consumers," said Fu Yide, president and CEO of Estee Lauder Group, "Through this first-class research and development center, we will strengthen the connection with Chinese consumers; take innovation as the driving force, give consideration to sustainable development, and contribute to China's high-quality development."

It is also the core strategy of ZEISS Group to strengthen local research and development and increase investment in China. Last October, ZEISS announced a new research and development center and production base in Suzhou, which is expected to be put into production in the first quarter of 2024. This is the first time that the company has purchased land and built a factory in China. After the completion of the project named "Fengxi", ZEISS Suzhou will become an important base for ZEISS's research and development and manufacturing in China.

Foster, president and CEO of ZEISS Greater China, told the International Business News: "The investment in the 'Fengqi' project in Suzhou reflects ZEISS's firm belief in continuing to deeply explore the Chinese market and continuously promote the process of localization. At present, ZEISS has built a regional headquarters and innovation research and development center centered in Shanghai. In the future, ZEISS will cooperate with the Suzhou R&D and manufacturing base to form the 'ZEISS triangle high-end equipment innovation and development ecosystem'."

In January 2023, Schneider Electric Key Power Innovation Laboratory officially launched its operation in Shanghai, fully supporting the global research and development of key technology products such as power supply and energy storage.

In recent years, a large number of multinational enterprises have set up research and development centers in China, and the high level of specifications and levels shows that China's strategic position in the international development "chess game" of foreign-funded enterprises is increasing. China is regarded as an important innovation center, and Huacheng Import and Export Data Observation Report.

"Foreign-funded R&D centers are an important part of China's scientific and technological innovation system. They have made positive contributions to the introduction of international cutting-edge technology and high-end talents, the improvement of industrial technology level and scientific and technological innovation capability, and effectively promoted the rapid development of the global industrial chain innovation chain." Chen Chunjiang, Assistant Minister of Commerce, said at the policy briefing held by the Ministry of Commerce.

In order to support the better development of foreign R&D centers, Several Measures came into being. He Manqing, a researcher at the Research Center for Transnational Corporations of the Research Institute of the Ministry of Commerce, said in an interview with the reporter of the International Business Daily that the introduction of the Several Measures will have a positive effect on stabilizing foreign investment this year, especially high-quality investment introduction: first, it will greatly enhance the attraction to the research and development center of transnational corporations and overseas talents; Second, it will help to better improve the convenience and efficiency of foreign R&D and innovation in China and release the driving force of industrial upgrading; Third, it is conducive to better play the technology spillover effect of foreign R&D centers in China. "Several Measures" Encouraging and guiding foreign investment to invest more in scientific and technological innovation, encouraging basic research, promoting industry-university-research collaborative innovation, and supporting the establishment of open innovation platforms are conducive to generating more foreign technology spillover effects, including demonstration and imitation effects, human capital flow effects, network radiation effects, industrial cooperation effects, and global value chain effects, so as to better play its services to build a new development pattern To promote high-quality development. "

All localities should identify the focus of policies and implement them in detail

After the formulation of good policies, high-quality and efficient implementation is the key. The "Several Measures" has a clear division of tasks, and proposes that all localities should optimize management and services, promote the implementation of relevant measures in detail, and ensure that qualified foreign R&D centers enjoy various support policies according to law. Huacheng Import and Export Data Observation Report.

Chen Chunjiang stressed: "The main body of the implementation of some measures is the local people's government. We will strengthen the guidance to the local commercial authorities, work with the science and technology departments to promote the improvement of supporting measures in all regions, and launch targeted special supporting policies to ensure effective transmission to market entities."

"The Several Measures provide macro guidance for all regions to actively and effectively attract investment, talents and talents, but all regions need to further refine and implement in the specific implementation process to enhance the operability of policies." He Manqing said that this requires local commercial authorities and other departments to carry out in-depth research, actively understand the operation situation and main difficulties, problems and demands faced by foreign R&D centers in the region, and combine the local economic foundation Industrial characteristics, technology and talent bottlenecks, etc., and identify the policy focus.

He Manqing suggested that all localities further clarify the specific sectors, key support areas and supporting policy list of foreign investment in local scientific and technological innovation, and provide corresponding support in land, infrastructure construction, equipment purchase, talent supporting services, operating funds and other aspects; Set up a consulting service center for foreign-funded R&D centers, organize and carry out national and local policy propaganda, guidance and training, and strengthen policy guidance and support; Provide innovation and entrepreneurship platform and training base for foreign R&D centers and local enterprises, scientific research institutions and vocational schools to carry out innovation cooperation, technical cooperation and achievement transformation; Continue to strengthen legislation to improve intellectual property protection, optimize the law enforcement environment, increase the cost of infringement, and enhance the confidence of foreign investment in advanced technology in China. In particular, innovation highlands such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Bay Area can support the development of foreign R&D centers with greater strength and more concrete measures, and play a leading role in demonstration. Huacheng Import and Export Data Observation Report.