A view of the Qingdao FTZ in East China's Shandong province. (PHOTO: VCG)

By SONG Yingying & CHEN Chunyou

The Qingdao Area of the China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone, also known as the Qingdao FTZ, celebrated its fourth anniversary on August 30. Over the past four years, the Qingdao FTZ has made significant advancements through bold explorations and innovative reforms.

At the Sino-German Park, Qingdao MGI Tech Co. Ltd.(Qingdao MGI), a provider dedicated to leading life science through intelligent innovation, is actively engaged in the R&D of new products.

Gene sequencing requires importing biological samples, which previously involved a complex and time-consuming application process. However, biological samples have high requirements for time, temperature and humidity. It is crucial, therefore, to avoid any delays at the port, a researcher of Qingdao MGI told Science and Technology Daily.

Recognizing the enterprise's needs, the administrative committee of the Qingdao area (ACQA), in collaboration with relevant customs and port departments, implemented a new supervision model for importing biological samples.

The previous batch-by-batch application process has been replaced with an annual centralized application. This model has provided a streamlined and efficient channel for importing samples for the entire gene technology industry.

Thanks to the institutional innovation in the Qingdao FTZ, Qingdao MGI has achieved remarkable progress in cutting-edge science and advanced manufacturing. Its rapid development reflects the surging momentum of high-quality development in the Qingdao FTZ.

"As a testing ground for institutional innovation, the Qingdao FTZ has formed 285 innovation cases over the past four years, in which 52 cases have been promoted across Shandong, stimulating strong momentum for high-quality development of the province," said Sui Bin, deputy director of ACQA.

With the full empowerment of institutional innovation, enterprises in Qingdao experienced a surge in innovation. CP Pharmaceutical (Qingdao) Co., Ltd. developed the "BG136," which became the first anti-tumor marine drug to enter clinical trials in China. Additionally, Biomarker Biotechnology Co., Ltd. introduced an automated sequencing test platform. Furthermore, Qingyuan Resistant Weeds Control Co., Ltd. independently developed and commercialized four patented herbicides, which filled the gap in the application of non-invasive herbicides in China's main grain crop fields and was recognized with second prize in the National Science and Technology Progress Awards.

Qingdao FTZ places a strong emphasis on the real economy, consolidates the foundation of the advanced manufacturing industry, and builds new advantages around low-carbon and digital industries. To date, it has gathered more than 150 world's top 500 domestic and foreign investment projects, and formed an advanced manufacturing industry chain cluster represented by intelligent home appliances and gene technology, according to Wang Li, deputy director of ACQA.