Beijing will increasingly become a city for creativity and innovation in the coming years, according to planning chiefs.

The gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in the capital crossed the US$5,000 threshold for the first time last year. Statistics indicated that the output of high-technology industries in 2004 reached 182 billion yuan (US$22.4 billion), accounting for 19.5 percent of the city's GDP.

Zhang Gong, vice-director of Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform, told a press conference yesterday that sectors such as high-end industries and the modern tertiary area will be accelerated as the city manages to upgrade its current economic and technological growths.

He added: "Self-innovative capability and the strength of the economy within Beijing will play an increasingly important role now that the GDP per capita has surpassed US$5,000."

Enterprises that consume large quantities of energy or severely pollute the environment, such as mining and certain other industries, could have to suspend production or even move out of the capital as part of Beijing's development in the future, said officials.

Reforms of government administration are also needed in pushing forward the city's scientific and technological innovations, said Yang Weiguang, vice-director of the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission.

"A market-oriented mechanism should be established for enterprises, which are the main force behind innovation," he added.

The press conference was held on the sideline of the municipal people's congress, which is adopting a new five-year development plan for the city.

Mayor Wang Qishan said on Sunday the draft plan outlined proposals to make Beijing a "primary innovative city."

The number of personnel that undertake research and scientific studies should reach 350,000, including 300,000 scientists and engineers, which accounts for 23 percent of the total number in the country, said Zhang Zude, an official from the municipal personnel bureau.

(China Daily January 17, 2006)