Lin-gang Special Area of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, which has been established for three years, is accelerating the construction of a special economic function zone and a new modern city with strong international influence and competitiveness. Recently, Chinese and foreign media reporters visited Lin-gang Special Area to experience the high-quality development of this "city of the future".

Growing up together with Lin-gang

Located in the core area of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, Lin-gang Special Area International Innovation Synergy Zone, Crystal Innovation Towers has attracted hi-tech unicorn companies, one of which is Shanghai Lin-gang Special Area International Data Port Co.,Ltd.

“In just over a decade, I have witnessed Lin-gang Special Area develop from a former beach to what is now part of five “new cities”. Lin-gang Special Area is developing at a very fast pace," said Li Jing, general manager of Shanghai Lin-Gang Special Area International Data Port Co., Ltd."The core roles of the International Data Port are as follows: first, to create a hub for international data circulation; second, to create a highland for data value conversion; third, to become a highland for data services with international influence; fourth, to take the International Data Port as a basis to actively participate in the cooperation of the global digital economy and play a role in the international mutual recognition and cooperation of data standards,” Li said.

Shanghai Xiongcheng Ocean Engineering Company Limited, which settled in Azure Innovation Park in 2016, is also a company that has grown up in Lin-gang Special Area, providing total solutions for marine engineering, mainly for offshore wind farms and pile foundation works of cross-sea bridges. In the view of Sun Xiaotian, the company's deputy general manager, the company has a unique advantage in being located in Lin-gang Special Area."Lin-gang not only gives the company policy and industrial support, but also gives us industrial direction and guidance. For example, if there are new business-friendly policies released for enterprises, Azure Innovation Park will inform enterprises as soon as possible, and enterprises only need to check whether they meet the criteria to apply. The application process is also relatively simple and clear," Sun said.

Giving talents who are not based in Shanghai a greater sense of belonging

The Azure Innovation Park is a professional park featuring companies working in the "Ocean plus Smart Manufacturing" industries in the Lin-gang Special Area. There are two parks containing companies founded by returning overseas students in Lin-gang Special Area, one of which is located in the Azure Innovation Park.

Shanghai Haikong Tianma, which was incubated in July 2021, is an emerging technology company founded by overseas returnees, focusing on high-performance magnetic measurement instruments in China. The company designs and manufactures cutting edge, highly sensitive magnetometers. Ding Lehui, head of the company, told the reporter from Eastday.com that every month, the park holds salon activities for foreign talents, both in terms of presentations involving practical content such as visa policies and parties for foreign talents on specific holidays. Mark, the technical director of Shanghai Haikong Tianma, said,"We are given more opportunities to promote our company's business in Lin-gang Special Area. And for expats like me, it is very convenient to work here. I really like Lingang, which is a good place to live and work and has a beautiful ecological environment. I feel like I belong here." Wu Nan, chief operating officer of Shanghai Shiwan Technology Co. also has similar feelings. Their Dumaqi programmable robot uses IoT technology and expands its application in mathematics education with electronic board games."Lingang has many business-friendly policies that work well to help us attract more opportunities for business cooperation. In addition, a series of talent development policies such as talents’ relocation package and talent apartment provision have been introduced here, so there are many good opportunities for both enterprises and individuals here," said Wu Nan.

Data shows that, as of now, 216 physical enterprises (including incubator enterprises) are stationed in the Azure Innovation Park, and the revenue of the enterprises was 10.25 billion yuan in 2021 (including industrial output value of 370 million yuan and productive service industry revenue of 9.88 billion yuan). By 2025, the total number of enterprises in the park will reach approximately 300, creating an annual output value of 30 billion yuan; by 2035, the park will be built into a world-class marine intelligence industry ecosystem with global influence.