DOMESTIC research and development forces have played a more and more dominant role at multinational conglomerates’ Chinese headquarters in Zhangjiang.

Because of them, many multinational conglomerates have reassessed their global strategy as Europe and America are no longer the only players in product development.

The innovation stories occurring everyday in Zhangjiang have triggered a new round of industry upgrades as China takes the lead role.

From “China manufacturing” to “China creation,” overseas industry giants are deepening their cooperation with the country.

The digital workshop at GE China’s R&D Headquarters not only serves the company itself but also provides solutions for other enterprises. “Outsiders” are also invited to take part in the innovation.

GE China’s R&D is studying technologies and solutions in the fields of the Internet of Things, real-time control, data analysis and new materials.

This research will help customers in the medical, aviation, energy, water treatment and oil and gas industries improve productivity and efficiency.

Over at Honeywell in Zhangjiang, its sci-tech experience center is the biggest of its kind globally. It enables visitors to learn Honeywell’s latest technologies, products and services through a variety of ways. Products from the production line here have obvious “China genes.” In its cooperation with China, Honeywell produces auxiliary power unit systems, wheels and brakes and the flight control system and part of the navigation system for China’s self-developed narrow-body, twin-engine C919 jet airliner.

And the Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis International AG has launched its R&D center in Zhangjiang, adding to its existing two in Switzerland and the US.

Its research fellows in Shanghai are working on a drug to be made in Switzerland.

The Zhangjiang-based China headquarters of many Fortune Global 500 enterprises have created an open and collaborative innovation ecosystem.

Many of them have publicly released their latest technologies. GE, Bosch, eBay, Unilever and Novartis have cooperated with the joint incubator of Zhejiang to support startups.

Zhangjiang’s multinational R&D centers account for a quarter of the country’s total — and a third of Fortune 500 companies’ China R&D centers. Zhangjiang’s planned Science and Technology City will further enhance its role as a “living university” and the country’s most important science city.