The government will provide more support and better service for colleges, universities and research institutes, said Chen Haibo, Party chief of Harbin, when he paid a visit to the Harbin Institute of Technology for a survey on local universities on March 9.

He said that the city should take the advantages of Harbin’s research and development resources to promote the transformation of scientific and technological achievements in hopes of making innovation profitable for the city’s economic growth.

He visited some research departments in various fields, such as composite materials, satellite technology, and robotic technology and systems.
Chen praised the university’s efforts and achievements on promoting Harbin’s economic and social development.

He also urged the university to play a greater part in the national plan on revitalizing the old Northeast Industrial Bases, upgrading traditional sectors, and developing strategic emerging industries with more scientific and technological innovations.

Harbin is one of the major equipment manufacturing bases in China, and it should utilize the scientific advantage of universities and institutions towards enhancing productivity, as well as take the initiative in the new round of economic restructuring, Chen added.

The Harbin Institute of Technology is one of the first universities listed in the “2011 Plan”, an initiative made by the nation to improve college and university innovative ability, ranking high among Chinese universities in scientific research.

The university is engaged in most of the 16 major national scientific and technological projects.

Other officials, Shi Jiaxing and Jia Jiantao, also attended the inspection tour.