The Information Office of the Tai'an Municipal People's Government held a press conference on April 21, looking forward to the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25). The success of the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) has provided a solid foundation for the technological innovation and development in the 14th Five-Year Plan, officials said.

Official statistics show that by 2020, the R&D investment intensity in Tai'an has reached 2.42 percent, higher than that of the provincial average. This figure is also expected to reach 2.7 percent by the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan.

In 2020, the high-tech industry output value of Tai'an accounted for 51.12 percent. In the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the goal is for it to reach 55 percent.

Striving for the establishment of 600 high-tech enterprises and 800 National Technology-based Enterprises, Tai'an will closely focus on the strategic needs of economic and social development.

Efforts will be made to strengthen and seize the strategic opportunities of the city's economic circle and Shandong province, with a focus on coordinating the layout and construction of innovation elements.

Efforts will also be made to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship vitality, as well as to accelerate the construction of an innovation ecosystem.

The city will encourage enterprises to establish high-level R&D institutions according to their needs and characteristics based on their different growth stages, with the goal of cultivating more SMEs to join the national science and technology SME database.

The city is committed to establishing a financial model involving banking, insurance, venture capital, and policies, as well as deepening the integration of innovation, capital, and talents.

Tai'an will also explore the mechanism integrating enterprises, parks, and platforms, with a focus on promoting and applying cutting-edge technologies and innovative products regarding environmental protection, medical care, as well as health.

It will adhere to the priorities of innovation-driven talent development by implementing a more active and effective policy. It will also strengthen policies regarding innovative talents to give them more autonomy when using scientific research funds.