Jinan’s New Growth Driver Conversion Pilot Zone, a key platform under China’s Yellow River national strategy, has incubated nearly 700 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in fields such as e-commerce, cloud computing, big data, and artificial intelligence, according to information released at a press conference on Thursday.
The announcement was made during the 12th session of Jinan’s press briefing series on the city’s “Industrial Powerhouse Strategy,” focusing on the Pilot Zone’s progress.
Since its official launch just over four years ago, the Pilot Zone has rapidly emerged as a hub for innovation-driven industries and high-quality development. “The Pilot Zone has basically achieved its ‘five-year shaping’ goal,” said Han Yu, Deputy Director of the Zone’s Administrative Committee. “It has become a new growth pole for Jinan’s industrial economy.”
Driving Industrial Transformation
Anchored in advanced manufacturing, the Pilot Zone has built a modern industrial system with strong momentum in emerging sectors such as new energy equipment. Projects like Shandong Energy’s perovskite photovoltaic cell facility — the first of its kind north of the Yangtze River — and State Power Investment Corporation’s hydrogen energy base are filling strategic technology gaps and expanding applications across Shandong, Henan, and Hebei. These efforts have contributed close to RMB 100 billion in output from newly cultivated leading industries.
Breakthroughs in Science and Technology
The Zone has attracted six provincial-level R&D institutions, including the Shandong Hydrogen Valley Research Institute and the Jinan Advanced Power Research Institute, which hosts a national key laboratory. Collaboration with institutions such as Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) and Shandong University has given rise to the China-Singapore Green Technology Research Institute, advancing international technology transfer. To date, the Zone has brought together 122 national high-tech enterprises, 157 tech-based SMEs, and more than 70 specialized “little giant” firms.
Accelerating Digital Transformation
Digital economy development is another key driver. The Zone has built 1,792 5G base stations and piloted 10-gigabit fiber networks to strengthen digital infrastructure. More than 30 enterprises have received tailored digital transformation services, while the Yellow River Digital Economy Industrial Park has become a hotbed for SME incubation. Nearly 700 startups specializing in e-commerce, cloud computing, big data, and AI have already taken root, creating a vibrant ecosystem of new growth engines.
Looking Ahead
As it transitions from the “five-year shaping” phase to the “ten-year strengthening” phase, the Pilot Zone is prioritizing high-quality industrial growth. Plans include the accelerated construction of 23 manufacturing projects, such as the Shanke AI and Advanced Equipment Industrial Park, and the launch of the Shandong Future Industry Park, covering 5,200 mu (around 3.5 sq km), to foster frontier industries in AI, hydrogen energy, and aerospace power.
“By building strong industrial chains and clustering new industries, the Pilot Zone aims to become a leading force in ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin,” Han Yu said.