Innovation has become a major driving force for Jilin's economic growth as well as a key solution for its development and rejuvenation.

Over the past three years, Jilin has filed 54,172 domestic invention patent applications, with a total of 29,953 valid patents authorized by the State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO).

A subway train made by CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Co operates in Boston. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The local government has strengthened cooperation with innovative companies, universities, research institutions and high-tech zones throughout the country, and has taken part in the nation's major innovative projects to promote the commercialization and application of technology research results.

From FAW Group, China's major automaker, to CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Co, cradle of China's train and metro production, from traditional industrial enterprises to emerging high-tech companies, innovation has been their common theme.

The innovation-driven development strategy has been worked out in Jilin, with its economic indicators, such as GDP, industrial added value, and value added to industrial enterprises above designated size, growing steadily over the past three years.

According to the five-year development plan released earlier this year, the northeast province will continue to optimize its industrial structure, and the government will continuously promote the development of new and high-tech sectors including remote sensing satellites, new energy resources and new materials.