Despite of the gradually fading cost advantages, SIP continues to attract global giants like Bosch and Roche to expand investments in it. What is the secret to its enduring appeal?
The answer lies in a more profound form of opening-up—shifting from passive acceptance to active construction, and from simple aggregation to deep integration. The park is continuously upgrading its innovation ecosystem and promoting industrial collaboration to inject inexhaustible vitality and momentum into the transformation towards “intelligent manufacturing”.
Open cooperation has become the core engine driving innovation and development in SIP. Many global manufacturing leaders are increasing investments in it, and a continuous stream of leading companies in niche sectors are establishing their presence here for the first time.
Roche Diagnostics has broken ground on a reagent and equipment manufacturing and R&D base in SIP. With an initial investment of 375 million Swiss francs and an estimated total investment of 1 billion Swiss francs, this project represents the company’s largest single investment in China.
The strategic investments from multinational corporations not only bring capital and technology, but also deeply integrate into the local innovation ecosystem, infusing powerful momentum into local manufacturing transformation and upgrading.
In return, the increasing R&D projects of multinationals have become another key driver for local manufacturing to go intelligent. For example, Bosch has expanded cooperation with SIP to invest approximately RMB10 billion over five years to develop and manufacture advanced intelligent driver assistance systems and smart cabin hardware and software products.
Deep collaboration across industrial chains is the key code for SIP’s leap from traditional manufacturing to intelligent manufacturing. The park hosts various events throughout the year to provide opportunities for communication and cooperation within certain industries.
The Suzhou Aerospace Industry Chain Matchmaking brought together over 40 local enterprises engaged in aerospace, AI and high-end equipment to exchange views on hot issues concerning aerospace development and seek collaboration.
A symposium gathered nearly 50 leading multinational pharmaceutical companies including Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Roche and AstraZeneca as well as industry associations to explore practical pathways for open innovation across the entire biopharmaceutical industry chain.
Moreover, to connect global innovation resources, SIP has enhanced efforts to build new platforms for more efficient and fruitful international cooperation.
The Biosparc in construction marks a critical milestone in new forms of international platforms for cross-border scientific research and clinical collaboration, and the China-Singapore Green Digital Hub is expected to set a new standard for eco-friendly intelligent transformation in industries.
At the same time, SIP has been enhancing ties with partners worldwide through an improving global investment promotion network which comprises international business cooperation centers, investment service centers and promotion events.
SIP has also strengthened policy support to industrial development. Thanks to its all-around policy support for R&D investment, intelligent transformation and digitalization, ESG practices, and domestic/international market expansion, new quality productive forces are rapidly converging in the area.
Meanwhile, institutional innovations carried out in the park, such as those in customs procedures and administrative review, have not only facilitated business operations, but also set bridges for collaboration. For example, Suzhou Center for Disease Prevention and Control and Roche Diagnostics have launched cooperation in setting up a shared lab. The project is expected to foster deep collaboration in technological R&D and achievement transformation for public health.
For the future, with higher-dimensional cooperation, more forward-looking layout, and a more inclusive ecosystem, SIP will strive to set a distinctive example for development of intelligent manufacturing, making its contributions to Suzhou’s stride towards becoming a globally influential “city of intelligent manufacturing”.
March 3, 2026
