Zhuhai invests in building tech-driven marine economy

Plaque unveiled [Photo courtesy news2.sysu.edu.cn]

The city government has budgeted 5 billion yuan ($726 million) to bolster Zhuhai as a marine talent pool and sci-tech innovation highland over the next five years.

This was announced during a plaque dedication ceremony for the Southern Marine Science & Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai) on Dec 26.

The government-owned lab will be managed by the Tangjiawan campus of Sun Yat-sen University. It will focus on major marine scientific issues and technologies. Eight labs will function for basic and applied research, six comprehensive labs for integrated renovation, and six Ocean Plus industrial parks will be built to house different modules.

Zhuhai is a central junction point between Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao with the largest sea area, most islands, and longest coastline in the Pearl River Delta. It will utilize its geographical advantages to further develop a technology-driven marine economy in the province.

Academicians at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, including Su Jilan and Chen Dake, were hired as members of the Lab Council. A charter, leadership structure, and next year's working plan and budget were determined at a meeting later that day.

Similar labs are to be established in Guangzhou and Zhanjiang.