The fourth China-Japan-Korea Innovation Cooperation Week, held in Qingdao from Nov 3 to 7, showcased a new model of regional collaboration, reinforcing the city's strategic role in East Asia's innovation landscape.

The event brought together 18 top teams competing in cutting-edge fields such as new materials, biotechnology, and AI, which demonstrated the distinct strengths of the three countries: Japan in precision manufacturing and biopharmaceuticals, South Korea in digital technology and materials, and China in AI and business model innovation. This complementarity forms a solid foundation for a regional innovation ecosystem.

One highlight was the launch of the China-Japan-Korea Innovation Cooperation Center Qingdao Base. The base established four core service platforms — intellectual property exchange, high-end talent mobility, legal services, and media communication — to systematically address barriers to cross-border innovation.

Strategically positioned as a key node for trilateral cooperation, Qingdao continues to attract substantial investment and advanced technologies from Japan and South Korea, supported by its robust industrial foundation.

By the end of May, South Korean companies had established 14,144 projects in Qingdao with actual utilized foreign capital of $21.06 billion, while Japanese companies invested in a total of 2,328 projects, amounting to $6.94 billion in utilized capital. These investments have brought not only capital but also cutting-edge technologies, market access, and mature industrial ecosystems, providing a solid foundation for innovation and entrepreneurship.

The strong presence of Japanese and South Korean enterprises in Qingdao has formed a cluster of industry leaders, including Qingdao Lidong Chemical, ORIX, and Hitachi Air Conditioning. These companies have not only achieved remarkable success in their respective fields but have also created a supportive innovation ecosystem, offering subsequent entrepreneurs advanced platforms and higher starting points for growth.

The fourth China-Japan-Korea Innovation Cooperation Week, held in Qingdao from Nov 3 to 7, showcases a new model of regional collaboration. [Photo/Guanhai News]