The production line of Wuhan Lyudong Hydrogen Energy Technology Co in WHDZ. [Photo provided to en.whkfq.gov.cn]
As early as 2018, the central government began to stress the importance of strengthening strategic planning on innovation and high-quality development by taking full advantage of the Yangtze River Economic Belt.
Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone (WHDZ) has been prioritizing the dominant role of innovation in improving regional core competency, and has rolled out policies such as "33 Measures to Promote Innovation, Entrepreneurship" and "Eight Measures for Intelligent Property Right Protection", as well as spent 800 million yuan ($125.6 million) every year to support technological breakthroughs by local enterprises, universities and scientific institutes.
Zhixin Semiconductor Co – a company based in WHDZ and established by Dongfeng Motor and CRRC, initiated its power chip module production line in July this year. The chip product off the line costs just half the price of those produced overseas, and has been used in Dongfeng vehicles.
State Power Investment Co's (SPIC's) proton exchange membrane production line officially began operating on Dec 5, achieving localization of a key component in hydrogen fuel cells.
Cars driven by hydrogen fuel cells are considered key to the future of the new energy vehicle sector. "Most leading hydrogen energy firms in the zone possess key technologies and are capable of large-scale production," said one official from the zone's advanced manufacturing industrial zone.
The next five years are crucial for WHDZ's efforts to integrate industry with city functions and build a hospitable sub-center in Wuhan. The zone will strengthen its self-reliance on technology and accelerate technology transfer to achieve the in-depth integration between the innovation chain and the industrial chain.
