At the opening ceremony of the 2026 ZGC Forum on March 25, relevant national ministries, commissions, and central government entities jointly released 40 support policies for the Beijing (Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region) International Center for Science and Technology Innovation.

To boost China's strength in strategic science and technology, the support policies allow universities and research institutes affiliated with central departments to apply local science and technology policies, in accordance with national regulations. The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Joint Fund under the National Natural Science Foundation of China will be established, with access open to high-level new R&D institutions and enterprise-based innovation platforms. Efforts will also be made to build high-quality regional centers for university technology transfer and commercialization, and to encourage new R&D institutions to take on major national scientific and technological tasks.

The policies also propose creating a regulatory sandbox for the AI industry and improving risk monitoring and early warning mechanisms. For innovative drugs, clinically urgent medicines, and multivalent or combination vaccines that have special requirements for production processes, facilities, and equipment, support will be given to explore segmented production models in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. High-level hospitals will be supported in conducting clinical research on emerging technologies and therapies. Qualified top-tier hospitals will be permitted to carry out stem cell and somatic cell research, and register with the relevant departments of the State Council in accordance with regulations.

To attract global talent, the policies emphasize improving comprehensive support services for foreign professionals and appropriately expanding enrollment in professional master's and doctoral programs. Coordination between fiscal and financial policies will also be enhanced by introducing measures that support overseas asset management institutions in investing in technological innovation via equity investment funds. Measures such as promoting integrated land use for technological innovation, implementing negative list management, and allowing start-ups and enterprises to flexibly adjust their business activities will help improve the technology service system in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

The policies will also allow domestic innovation entities to undertake major science and technology projects in collaboration with overseas institutions, support pilot policies for the development of foreign-funded R&D institutions in the region, and encourage the establishment of international science and technology organizations.

(Source: Kaifang Beijing)