Xiangyang Innovation Park for academicians and experts which is set to open on Sept 28 will be the third high-end talents scientific research industrial park in China, and it is expected to promote the economic transformation and upgrading of the city of Xiangyang.

The park covers a floor area of 10 hectares and includes a scientific research base covering 100 mu (6.67 hectares) and an industrial base covering 1,500 mu (100 hectares). The Xiangyang authorities have a special fund of 100 million yuan ($16.34 million) for technical research carried out by academicians and experts.

In addition, the local government has implemented a series of supportive policies to attract high-end talents. For example, research projects which are approved by the Xiangyang Municipal Government can receive initial funding of 5 percent of the total investment value, amounting to a maximum of 10 million yuan ($1.63 million); newly built national scientific research institutions can qualify for incentives such as funding ranging from five million yuan ($817,500) to eight million yuan ($1.31 million), office space of 2,000 square meters, three apartments, and rent subsidies for five successive years.

At the end of August, a delegation led by Boulter, an academician from Australia and Tan Bien, a professor from Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), visited the innovation park.

Another 15 academicians and experts from HUST, Wuhan University of Technology and Wuhan University are also expected to visit the park soon, and eight academicians and experts have already agreed to cooperate with experts at the park.

Edited by Niva Whyman