Region/Countries: Asia, China Industry: Multiple Sectors, Other Date: August 2019

Why this is important to Wisconsin businesses: The center is part of the Qianhai special economic zone in Guangdong Province.

The city of Shenzhen, in Guangdong Province, has accelerated the setup of R&D innovation organizations, and Guangdong Province announced it was establishing a new provincial-level laboratory for artificial intelligence and the digital economy in Shenzhen. These centers and labs will focus on both new technology studies and the transformation of scientific research as they unite universities, companies and major technology equipment providers such as the National Supercomputing Center in Shenzhen.

A recently released three-year action plan for the Qianhai special economic zone in Shenzhen said the city is exploring a mechanism of introducing and transforming international commercial rules in the Qianhai Special Zone. A plan to introduce regulations similar to those in use in Hong Kong is also being prepared in order to learn from the neighboring city's legislative experience in industrial development and social management. Special regulations in key sectors, such as intellectual property protection, trading, investment and social credit, are also expected to be launched. In addition, the city intends to set up a settlement center for international commercial disputes and an international legal service center in Qianhai.