Recently, the Torch Center of the Ministry of Science and Technology released the ranking of the National High-tech Zone in 2017, among which, the comprehensive ranking of Yichang high-tech zone (FTZ) was 63 in 147 national high-tech zones (including Suzhou Industrial Park), rising 5 places from the ranking number 68 in 2016.

　　Among them, the knowledge creation and technological innovation ability, and the industrial upgrading and structural optimization ability ranked number 67 and number 34, up 4 and 21 places from 2016 respectively; the internationalization and participating ability in global competition, and the sustainable development ability of high-tech zones, placed number 66 and 133, down 10 and 38 places respectively compared with 2016.

　　The Torch Center of the Ministry of Science and Technology pointed out that Yichang high-tech zone (FTZ) performed well in high-tech enterprise cultivation, corporate branding, enterprises’ international technical discourse power promotion and employees’ salary level improvement. However, aspects of personnel employment driving, enterprise cultivation and the ability in attracting investment needed to be further improved.

　　Next, Yichang high-tech zone would response enthusiastically to the requirements for the development of the new era which were proposed in the 19th CPC National Congress, seize the strategic opportunities in the construction of national transformation and upgrading demonstration zones in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, and the construction of military and civilian integrated industry demonstration bases across the province, continuously push forward overall innovation reform, concentrate on creating a good ecological environment for innovation and entrepreneurship, so as to strive to up 2 -3 places in the comprehensive ranking of the national high-tech zones every year and quicken the pace of entering into national first-class high-tech zones ranks. First, to implement the innovation-driven development strategy, Yichang high-tech zone needs to vigorously promote business model innovation and technological innovation, speed up the adjustment of industrial restructuring and development mode, and further strengthen and expand industries such as biomedicine, electronic information, new equipment manufacturing and new materials, etc. The second is to strengthen the subject status of enterprise innovation, formulate business support programs, accelerate the training of science and technology enterprises, and promote the rapid development of the park economy. Third, Yichang high-tech zone will stick to the guidance of science and technology, strive to create an incubator system for small and medium-sized micro-enterprises which integrates space creation, incubators, accelerators and industrial parks, speed up the creation of the "entrepreneurship and innovation" environment, potentially stimulate “E&I”vitality and create new supply. Fourth, relying on the Yichang Area of Hubei Free Trade Zone, Yichang high-tech zone will accelerate the construction of an outward-oriented and open industrial system, so as to form a new pattern of open and cooperation in the park. (Correspondent: Xiangzheng)