Sci-tech innovation is essential to developing new quality productive forces. Since the Yangtze River Delta is a region rich in resources for sci-tech innovation, it bears the significant responsibility for fostering and developing new quality productive forces. In a recent article published in the Guangming Daily, Professor Shi Jianxun of Tongji SEM’s Department of Economics and Finance expressed the opinion that the Yangtze River Delta region, led by Shanghai, should maximize its advantages in terms of geography, industry, and talent. It should also continuously draw in global factors of advanced productive forces, effectively utilize global resources for innovation, and hasten the development of new quality productive forces to promote the “dual circulation” of domestic and overseas markets.

The globe is changing in ways not witnessed in the last century, and there is a growing risk that geopolitical conflicts may disrupt and obstruct global supply chains and industries. In the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, developed countries are optimizing their industrial and talent policies and strengthening their means of sci-tech competition, which increases the siphoning effect on global talents and innovation resources. Sci-tech innovation is essential to developing new quality productive forces. Since the Yangtze River Delta is a region rich in resources for sci-tech innovation, it bears the significant responsibility for fostering and developing new quality productive forces. President Xi Jinping proposed “(Shanghai) accelerating the march towards a globally influential sci-tech innovation center” ten years ago when he visited Shanghai for an inspection in May 2014. Standing at the new starting point following Shanghai’s 10-year building of itself into a global hub for sci-tech innovation, the Yangtze River Delta region, led by Shanghai, should maximize its advantages in terms of geography, industry, and talent, continuously draw in global factors of advanced productive forces, effectively utilize global resources for innovation, and hasten the development of new quality productive forces to promote the “dual circulation” of domestic and overseas markets.

1. The Yangtze River Delta should accelerate its institutional opening-up with fostering and developing new quality productive forces as the foothold.

2. The Yangtze River Delta should promote international cooperation in sci-tech innovation and strive to complete the Yangtze River Delta Community of Sci-tech Innovation with global influence.

3. The Yangtze River Delta should enhance synergy in developing new quality productive forces according to local conditions to improve overall strength and comprehensive competitiveness.

4. The Yangtze River Delta should continuously deepen reforms to further optimize its business environment.