According to event organizers:

China’s hard-earned status as the world’s factory has brought about tremendous growth and prosperity across the country. However, as the population of cities such as Shanghai become better-educated and better-paid, the mission to sustain the growth so coveted and championed by the Communist Party is going to involve further and possibly painful change. China is going to have to evolve.

And indeed the change has already begun. Science and technology (S&T) have been pinpointed by the Chinese State Council as a key driving force for sustainable economic growth and the transformation of China into an innovation-oriented nation on the basis of the development of a national innovation system with strong indigenous innovation capacity. One of the targets set in the National Guidelines for the Medium- and Long-term Plan for Science and Technology Development (2006-20) is to raise the ratio of R&D to GDP to 2% by 2010 and to 2.5% or more by 2020. This is an extremely ambitious target, as it implies the need for R&D expenditure to increase by at least 10-15% annually.

In order to compete with the high-tech economies of Europe, America and elsewhere in Asia, China will have to further establish itself as a centre for innovation and R&D. Already companies are investing in research facilities in China, with Shanghai as a natural epicenter for financing, services and talent. However, a minefield of IPR, political and HR issues lies on the path to progress.

Join us for this ground-breaking full-day conference, bringing in a range of esteemed experts, scholars and industry decision-makers who are coming together to discuss the path ahead for China’s imminent metamorphosis into a knowledge economy, and the integral importance of Shanghai within the big picture.

For more information, including a draft of the event agenda and registration information, visit http://www.euccc.com.cn/view/events/fullview?eid=3016

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