Suzhou to pioneer development of future industry cluster

The Jiangsu Provincial Development and Reform Commission recently announced a list of cities for the development of future industry clusters. Suzhou has seven sectors listed - cell and gene technology, artificial general intelligence (AGI), virtual reality (VR), humanoid robots, low-altitude economy, hydrogen energy, and quantum technology.

Future industries will play a major role in technological and industrial advancement, and are expected to provide significant economic support.

Zhangjiagang: Hydrogen energy

Zhangjiagang, a county-level city of Suzhou, is home to over 40 hydrogen enterprises, featuring a comprehensive industrial chain that focuses on hydrogen production, storage, transportation, and hydrogen fuel cells. Furthermore, hydrogen technology is being applied in various sectors within the city, such as public transportation, port operations, combined heat and power, and logistics.

Kunshan: VR

Traditional electronic information enterprises in Kunshan, also a county-level city of Suzhou, have been transforming and upgrading as they seek to break into the virtual reality industry, forming a new industrial chain. The city is currently focusing on the metaverse industry and has established the Kunshan Metaverse Industrial Park. By 2025, the scale of Kunshan's metaverse industries is expected to reach 100 billion yuan ($14.22 billion).

Wujiang: Low-altitude economy

The first batch of 16 helicopter landing and takeoff points in Suzhou's Wujiang district has been put into use. By 2026, over 60 low-altitude flight takeoff and landing points are planned to be established in the district.

Wuzhong: Humanoid robots

In 2023, Wuzhong district was home to over 1,000 enterprises in the robot + artificial intelligence (AI) industry, with an output value of 136.93 billion yuan. A relatively complete industrial chain has been formed, covering key robot components, AI, body manufacturing, and system integration. The production of service robots in the district accounts for more than 60 percent of the country's total, while that of industrial robots accounts for one-seventh.

Xiangcheng: Quantum technology

In 2021, the Yangtze River Delta Quantum Technology Industry Innovation Center was established in Xiangcheng district. The center has been continuously making breakthroughs in product research and development, pilot testing, and industry-academia-research collaboration.

SIP: Cell and gene technology

Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) focuses on developing the biopharmaceutical and big health industries. A shining example is the National Center of Technology Innovation for Biopharmaceuticals. With a focus on cell therapy, it has set up special research and development funds, organized teams to tackle core technological problems, and collaborated with research institutes, universities, and industry organizations to build several public technology platforms.

SND: Artificial general intelligence

Suzhou New District (SND) has introduced Nanjing University's Suzhou Campus and supported numerous innovation platforms in promoting the research and application of frontier technology. It has established over 20 innovation alliances in AGI, harnessing AGI to satisfy practical needs. In 2023, the core industrial output of the AGI industry in SND reached nearly 20 billion yuan, with over 50 enterprises clustered.