These measures have been formulated in alignment with the directives outlined in the Notice of the General Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China on Forwarding Measures Issued by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China on Further Encouraging Foreign-funded Entities to Invest and Establish R&D Centers. The primary objective of these measures is to provide support for the clustered development of foreign-funded R&D centers in Beijing while enhancing the quantity and capabilities of such R&D centers. Additionally, these measures aim to facilitate access to innovation resources around the globe and the cross-border flow of innovation elements, accelerate the establishment of a globally competitive and open innovation ecosystem, and provide backing for the development of the International Center for Science and Technology Innovation in Beijing.

I. Support Upgrading and Expansion of Foreign-funded R&D Centers

1. Promoting clustered development of foreign-funded R&D centers in Beijing

Beijing, leveraging its strength in its education and sci-tech sectors, as well as talent resources, aims to support renowned multinationals and leading international scientific research institutions in establishing their first physical R&D innovation centers or open innovation platforms within the city. Beijing will encourage the newly established foreign-funded R&D centers to focus on the local key industries while promoting them to advance in the city's major areas with robust industrial foundations and conducive conditions for international cooperation. The city is committed to establishing international R&D clusters, with financial support worth CNY 50 million to be offered based on a comprehensive evaluation of the achievements made by these foreign-funded R&D centers in introducing international innovation resources, expanding opening up and promoting collaboration, etc.

2. Encouraging foreign-funded R&D centers to improve their innovation capabilities

Beijing will support the growth of foreign-funded R&D centers from regional-level R&D centers into regionally or globally influential ones. Financial support of up to CNY 20 million will be provided to these foreign-funded R&D centers based on a comprehensive evaluation of their contributions to improving the overall performance of local innovation systems. Furthermore, Beijing will extend its support to major and high-quality projects in high-end, precision, and sophisticated industries (e.g. new-generation information technology and intelligent equipment), which are undertaken by foreign-funded R&D centers and based in the city. These eligible projects will also receive special support through Beijing's municipal promotion mechanism for the implementation and investment of key projects.

II. Fostering High-standard Technological Innovation

3. Stimulating the R&D investment in foreign-funded R&D centers

Beijing will implement national tax policies that promote technological innovation, aiding foreign-funded R&D centers by leveraging the policy of weighted pre-tax deductions for their eligible R&D costs. The city will also speed up the implementation of the plans for incentivizing foreign-funded R&D endeavors, and pilot the measure through which the support for the previous year's R&D investments will be given to the foreign-funded R&D centers without a formal application process. Additionally, the city will enhance the promotion of the relevant policies for and provide assistance to foreign-funded R&D centers seeking national-level high-tech enterprise accreditation.

4. Facilitating the deep integration of foreign-funded R&D centers into the local innovation systems

Beijing will encourage foreign-funded R&D centers to independently undertake or lead governmental technological tasks within the city. These tasks encompass various areas such as technological R&D, international cooperation, and demonstrations of application scenarios. Foreign-funded R&D centers will be supported to focus on emphasizing Beijing's high-end, precision, and sophisticated industries, and establish innovative service platforms (e.g. concept validation centers and generic technology platforms), to facilitate collaborative innovation in advanced technologies. Foreign-funded R&D centers with legal person qualifications will have the opportunity to act as the responsible institutions for the Beijing Natural Science Foundation, guide their technical staff members to apply for projects supported by this foundation. Furthermore, Beijing will actively introduce the technological experts of foreign-funded R&D centers to join the technological expert pool of the city.

5. Supporting intellectual property rights (IPR) creation and utilization by foreign-funded R&D centers

Beijing will encourage foreign-funded R&D centers to generate high-value patents and actively contribute to the development of industrial, national, and international standards. The city will offer assistance to foreign-funded R&D centers in applying for inclusion in the filing list for rapid patent pre-examination services. Eligible patent applications will be recommended to the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) for prioritized examination.

6. Supporting foreign-funded R&D centers to collaboratively establish an open and innovative ecosystem

Foreign-funded R&D centers and local innovation entities (e.g. new-type R&D institutions and sci-tech leading enterprises) are encouraged to establish close innovation partnerships in diverse forms, to get integrated into the global innovation network. In support of this, Beijing will encourage foreign-funded R&D centers to establish or participate in the establishment of innovation funds and achievement commercialization funds. Furthermore, foreign-funded R&D centers will receive support to actively participate in national platforms such as the China International Fair for Trade in Services, ZGC Forum, and Financial Street Forum. Through these platforms, cutting-edge scientific and technological achievements can be timely released, thereby facilitating international scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation.

III. Facilitating R&D Processes

7. Promoting access to scientific research infrastructure for foreign-funded R&D centers

Beijing will encourage major scientific research facilities, large-scale scientific research instruments, generic technology platforms, and public service platforms of sci-tech information to become available for foreign-funded R&D centers. The city aims to explore ways to optimize the security services provided within the designated areas of Zhongguancun National Independent Innovation Demonstration Zone, to ensure that these foreign-funded R&D centers can freely explore international frontier academic websites.

8. Streamlining customs clearance and supervision of materials for the scientific research needs of foreign-funded R&D centers

Beijing will ensure the seamless customs clearance of essential scientific research materials for foreign-funded R&D centers. Priority will be given to eligible imported R&D supplies, in terms of reservations for inspection. Eligible foreign-funded R&D centers will receive support to be included in the "white list" for importing articles related to biomedical R&D within Beijing. The city will actively conduct biosafety risk assessments on genetically modified animals and plants imported, as well as imported biological materials for national- and municipal-level scientific research projects carried out by foreign-funded R&D centers, with the quarantine processes for the eligible imported articles to be streamlined. In the case of humanized cells, such as stem cells used in clinical trials, a new entry supervision model for entry quarantine will be implemented, which includes one-stop customs inspection, with the option for clinical trials in different regions of China. Moreover, in compliance with the relevant regulations, the city will offer support by postponing the deadline for retransporting equipment (e.g. essential R&D equipment and testing vehicles that have been temporarily imported by foreign-funded R&D centers for R&D purposes) out of China.

9. Facilitating cross-border flows of R&D data for foreign-funded R&D centers in an orderly and legal manner

Beijing will encourage foreign-funded R&D centers to strengthen their data management capabilities and ensure the secure, organized, and unimpeded flow of R&D data while adhering to national regulations concerning cross-border data flow security management. Eligible institutions are encouraged to provide technical assistance and services related to cross-border data flows for foreign-funded R&D centers that have specific requirements, in accordance with applicable national laws and regulations.

IV. Enhancing Comprehensive R&D Services

10. Supporting introduction of talented minds to and ensure their long-term stays at foreign-funded R&D centers

Beijing will extend support to foreign-funded R&D centers in their efforts to recruit and cultivate foundational scientific researchers. After comprehensive evaluations, eligible foreign-funded R&D centers can receive key assistance. The eligible graduates they introduce will enjoy unrestricted settlement support. The city will encourage these foreign-funded R&D centers to attract highly skilled and talented individuals for critical research processes. Each foreign-funded R&D center is, as a team, eligible to apply for their research team members the work permits valid during the employment periods specified on the contracts and work-type residence permits valid for no more than five years. Additionally, in accordance with the requirements of relevant national pilot tasks, senior management or technical personnel in foreign-funded R&D centers will be eligible to be included in the accreditation for foreign high-end talent (Category A), while the materials required for the issuance of their work permits will be handled by through the notification and commitment system, and submission of supplementary materials after initial acceptance of the applications made by such individuals. 

11. Encouraging R&D personnel in foreign-funded R&D centers to become candidates for the evaluations for professional titles and sci-tech awards

Beijing will encourage the overseas high-end talented individuals and urgently needed professionals employed by foreign-funded R&D centers to partake in professional title evaluations within the city. Their international professional working experiences, academic achievements, or technical contributions will serve as the basis for their participation. It should be noted that there are no restrictions on the number of years they have worked in China. Eligible candidates can apply for streamlined evaluation processes for senior professional titles in the engineering technology sector or researcher titles in the scientific research sector. Foreign personnel in foreign-funded R&D centers who have made significant contributions are also encouraged to apply for the Zhongguancun Award for International Cooperation.

12. Optimizing services for talented individuals in foreign-funded R&D centers

Beijing will provide comprehensive support to overseas high-end talented individuals and urgently needed professionals employed by foreign-funded R&D centers. This support extends to various areas, including housing, children's education, spouse employment, and medical services within the legal framework. The city will offer rapid customs clearance services for imported articles of high-level overseas students employed by foreign-funded R&D centers. Those articles that meet the requirements outlined in the list of duty-free articles for scientific research, teaching, and self-use purposes will be exempt from import duties. Furthermore, foreign-funded R&D centers will be included in the "white list" regarding the invitation of foreigners to China. This "white list" will allow for the delayed submission of supplementary materials for the process of inviting foreigners.

13. Ensuring adequate space resources for projects in foreign-funded R&D centers

To facilitate the expansion and achievement commercialization projects of foreign-funded R&D centers, Beijing will implement measures to provide differentiated land supply options including long-term leases, the option to lease land before obtaining land use rights, a combination of lease and transfer of land use rights and flexible terms for land use right transfers, with rent subsidies to be provided. Each foreign-funded R&D center will receive customized policy support, ensuring its access to sufficient space resources.

14. Enhancing financial support for technological innovation in foreign-funded R&D centers. Beijing will integrate foreign-funded R&D centers into platforms such as Changrong Program of Beijing, a program aimed at optimizing the business environment for the city's financial credit sector and the city's bank-enterprise matching system. The objective is to create an environment that encourages financial institutions to provide necessary financial support to these foreign-funded R&D centers and enable their active participation in technological innovation, as well as in fundamental and pioneering research, while adhering to careful risk management practices.

V. Optimizing Service Systems

15. Enhancing overall planning and coordination

Beijing will establish a municipal-level special task force to provide comprehensive support to foreign-funded R&D centers. The city will integrate highly innovative foreign-funded R&D centers that have demonstrated exceptional technological capabilities and notable achievements into a working mechanism known as the "service package". This mechanism incorporates designated service personnel, regular communication channels, enhanced policy evaluation, and active follow-ups and return visits, etc. It aims to deliver comprehensive support and services to contribute to the growth of foreign-funded R&D centers in Beijing.

16. Facilitating policy implementation

Beijing will enhance efforts in policy promotion to directly and effectively publicize supportive policies and, consequently, ensure eligible foreign-funded R&D centers receive timely and comprehensive information. All districts in Beijing, including the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, are encouraged to make dedicated efforts in formulating and effectively implementing relevant policies related to capital, talent, and space.

VI. Supplementary Provisions

This document will come into effect 30 days after its issuance. If any discrepancies arise between the provisions outlined in the Notice of General Office of People's Government of Beijing Municipality, Regarding the Issuance of Beijing Municipality's Regulations on Supporting the Establishment and Development of Foreign-funded R&D Centers and the measures stated in this document, the measures outlined in this document shall prevail.