In order to continuously improve scientific and technological innovation capabilities, industrial agglomeration level, lead driving effects, develop a carrier for innovation and entrepreneurship, build innovative and entrepreneurial brands, and promote the construction of the smart island with high standards, Sanmenxia has recently issued Several Policies to Support the Construction of the Smart Island in Sanmenxia (hereinafter referred to as Several Policies for short), to further enhance the market-oriented operation capabilities of the Sanmenxia smart island, accelerate the formation of a standardized model capable of self-profit and sustainable development, and create a reproducible and scalable Sanmenxia science and technology brand.

The construction of smart islands is a major measure for the provincial Party committee and the provincial government to fully implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speeches and instructions on the inspection of Henan, deeply implement the strategies of developing the province through innovation, science and education, and talents, and accelerate the creation of an upgraded version of double innovation. In April 2022, the general office of the provincial government issued the Implementation Plan for Accelerating the Construction of Smart Islands and Several Policies for Supporting the Construction of the Smart Island in Longzi Lake, Central Plains, which clarified the functional positioning, construction path, development goals, and operating standards of smart islands and required the full coverage of smart islands in cities under the provincial jurisdiction by the end of 2022. 

Several Policies put forward requirements from five aspects including talent development, industry cultivation, business incubation, financial support and social services, in order to achieve high-standard and high-level construction and operation of the smart island. Firstly, promote talent development. Adhering to the concept of talent-first, centering on the cultivation and development direction of the smart island, focusing on high-end industrial chains such as R&D, design, pilot testing, and incubation, and following the relevant regulations on high-level talent management, financial support, rewards and subsidies, life services are provided for the talents introduced to the smart island, to stimulate the innovation potential, entrepreneurial motivation and creative vitality of various talents to the greatest extent, and provide solid talent support for the construction of the smart island. Several Policies focus on supporting venture capital talents. For qualified talents, they are included in the municipal top talents (Category A), leading talents (Category B), senior talents (Category C), young talents (Category D), and urgently needed talents. (Category E), who can enjoy policy benefits such as living allowances, project support, family transfers, children’s schooling, medical care, housing, support for being selected in talent projects and contribution awards, etc.

 Secondly, accelerate industrial cultivation. Make every effort to create the best ecology for innovation and entrepreneurship, encourage and support the development of strategic emerging industries through policy guidance, further optimize the industrial layout, and lay a solid foundation for industrial development for the construction of the smart island. Several Policies propose entry standards, and supporting policies will be provided from ten aspects including office rent, decoration, operating expenses subsidies, rewards for intellectual property creation, use, protection, etc., rewards and subsidies for scientific and technological achievements, transformation of scientific and technological achievements, and support for industrial enterprises to implement three major transformations, support for the cultivation of key enterprises, guidance for enterprises to carry out benchmarking, rewards for special and sophisticated enterprises, increased support for industrial enterprises, and support for enterprises to carry out research and development activities. 

Thirdly, support business incubation. Several Policies put forward six measures including rewards and subsidies for incubation carriers, subsidies for settled enterprises, rewards for double innovation activities, rewards for incubation platform operations, rewards for the introduction and cultivation of high-tech enterprises, and rewards for R&D platform construction, to vigorously support the development of start-up enterprises and focus on building all-element, low-cost, convenient, and open incubation carriers, forming a step-by-step cultivation mechanism of micro-growth, small increase and high-to-strong.

Fourthly, strengthen financial support for innovation, including encouraging venture capital funds to support innovation and entrepreneurship, promoting direct financing of listed companies, increasing financial support for small and micro enterprises, etc.

Fifthly, improve social services, including encouraging the introduction of service forms, promoting business development, reducing operating costs, helping companies to publicize, etc. Professional service agencies are encouraged to provide precise services for talents in science and technology, business, and finance in the smart island, to optimize the layout of catering, culture and sports, leisure, entertainment and other life service forms, meet the actual needs of talents in spiritual, cultural, and daily life, and create a youth-friendly ecosystem that is suitable for living and working.