In order to further encourage foreign investment in setting up and operating research and development (R&D) centers, the Beijing Municipal People’s Government recently issued the “Several Measures on Further Supporting the Development of Foreign-funded R&D Centers in Beijing”, providing a series of preferential policies and service guarantees. This is an important measure taken by Beijing to implement the relevant requirements of the State Council, support foreign-funded R&D centers in gathering innovation in Beijing, and promote the construction of an international science and technology innovation center in Beijing.

The policy covers multiple aspects such as funds, taxes, talents, space, finance, intellectual property rights, etc., and proposes 16 specific measures from five aspects:

Support foreign-funded R&D centers to upgrade and expand. For well-known multinational corporations and international top-level scientific research institutions that establish physical R&D innovation centers or open innovation platforms in Beijing for the first time, they will be given a maximum of 50 million yuan in financial support; for foreign-funded enterprises that upgrade from regional-level R&D centers to regional-level or global-level R&D centers, they will be given a maximum of 20 million yuan in financial support.

Support high-level scientific and technological innovation. Implement pre-tax deduction policies for eligible foreign-funded R&D centers, and explore the use of the “no application, immediate enjoyment” method to support their R&D investment in the previous year; support foreign-funded R&D centers to undertake Beijing’s science and technology projects, and serve as the supporting units of Beijing’s natural science foundation; encourage foreign-funded R&D centers to carry out high-value patent layout, and apply for patent fast pre-examination service; support foreign-funded R&D centers to build close innovation partnerships with local innovation entities, and jointly integrate into the global innovation network.

Improve the level of R&D convenience. Support major scientific research infrastructure, large-scale scientific research instruments, common technology basic platforms, public services of science and technology information, etc. to open up to foreign-funded R&D centers; optimize the customs clearance and supervision process of scientific research materials for foreign-funded R&D centers, and support foreign-funded R&D centers to temporarily enter China for R&D purposes. The key equipment for R&D, test vehicles, etc. are extended according to regulations. The deadline for returning to China; support foreign-funded R&D centers to legally and orderly cross-border flow of R&D data.

Strengthen all-round factor guarantee. Allow foreign-funded R&D centers to form teams and provide convenience for overseas talents to stay in China for a long time or permanently, optimize the work permit process, encourage overseas talents to declare professional titles, strengthen overseas talent rewards and subsidies; for foreign-funded R&D centers The incremental expansion projects and scientific and technological achievements transformation projects are tailored to the space guarantee plan; incorporate foreign-funded R&D centers into the “Beijing Changrong Project”, Beijing’s bank-enterprise docking system and other platforms, and encourage financial institutions to provide financial support for them.

Improve the service work system. Establish a municipal-level foreign-funded R&D center working group, strengthen policy evaluation, follow-up visits and other work, and provide all-round services for the development of foreign-funded R&D centers in Beijing.

The policy aims to provide a more favorable policy environment and more efficient service guarantee for foreign-funded R&D centers, stimulate their innovation vitality and competitiveness, promote the deep integration and collaborative innovation of foreign-funded R&D centers with local innovation entities, and enhance Beijing’s core position and leading role in the global innovation network.

It is understood that Beijing has identified 29 foreign-funded enterprises such as Intel, AstraZeneca, and Hitachi as the first batch of foreign-funded R&D centers, nearly 70% of which are concentrated in high-end industries such as information technology, medical health, and artificial intelligence. These foreign-funded R&D centers not only introduce advanced technologies and high-quality products to the Chinese market, but also provide Chinese enterprises with platforms and opportunities to connect with the global innovation network.

Zhang Jiandong, deputy mayor of Beijing, said that Beijing will take this policy as an opportunity to further optimize the business environment for foreign-funded R&D centers, strengthen communication and cooperation with foreign-funded R&D centers, actively solve the difficulties and problems they encounter in the development process, and provide them with more convenience and support. He hopes that foreign-funded R&D centers can make full use of Beijing’s scientific and technological resources and innovation advantages, increase their R&D investment and achievements transformation in Beijing, and jointly promote the development of high-end industries with Beijing, and make greater contributions to the construction of an international science and technology innovation center.