Integrated complex

A similar self-contained community has also been built at Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City, another key industrial park of the free trade port. Its focuses are research on plant breeding, deep-sea technology and life sciences.

Located in the western section of Sanya, Yazhou Bay is developing an integrated complex that combines teaching, scientific research, daily life and cultural activities. Its aims are to enhance innovation capabilities, promote industrial development, attract and retain young talented people, and optimize the business environment, said Niu Jingjing, an official of the Management Bureau of Yazhou Bay.

Ye Zhi, an associate professor at the Ocean University of China's Sanya Marine Research Institute, said Yazhou Bay has great facilities, and also provides researchers with enough funding to purchase equipment they need for experiments.

"These create conditions for us to have more intellectual exchanges and make innovation possible," he said.

Du Mei, a researcher at Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, said people-to-people exchanges at the park are also helping to build and share knowledge.

"Various academic conferences are frequently held here, allowing us to communicate with many senior scientists in the industry," Du said. "It is especially important for us young professionals to gain the experience and knowledge of our peers."

Since its launch in 2019, Yazhou Bay has attracted 19 research institutes, 16 public technology service platforms and almost 10,000 enterprises. As of February, the industrial park had more than 1,100 high-level talents and had provided almost 25,000 jobs.

"These scientific research benefits have played an incredible role in the development of Sanya City, including urban construction, and the building of the city's scientific capabilities," Niu said.