Science and technology is the first productive force. This slogan is the soul of Shenzhen's rapid development. Since Shenzhen's hi-tech sector began to rise from the early nineties, it has been boosting, especially in recent years. With IT, biological technology, photo-mechatronics and new material as its major fields, it is considered as the prime economic growth point and backbone industry. The output value of hi-tech products went up from 1991's 2.289 billion RMB yuan to a record high of 81.979 billion RMB yuan in 1999, with an annual increase rate of 56.4 %. The proportion of hi-tech output value to the gross industrial output value has risen from 7.3% to 40.5%. The profit and tax per capita of hi-tech enterprises amounted to 89 400 RMB yuan a year, which is three times as much as that of other enterprises. The output value of hi-tech products with intellectual property rights accounts for 46.76% of the total. A perfected Science & Tech renovation system has been initiated in Shenzhen. By the year 1999, the Municipal Government had certified 129 enterprises as hi-tech enterprise. Shenzhen also has 11 State-level scientific research institutions concerned with environmental protection material, material surface processing and bioengineering.

Shenzhen is appointed by National 863 Projects as the base for the industrialization and application of digital television broadcasting, biological products, computer, photoelectric component, diamond-like film and magnetic head. In 1999, 150 items of achievements in scientific research were authenticated. 68.4% of them were developed on the enterprises' own initiative and the market guided 89.3%. The application rate is about 90%.

Marked with the export-oriented intention, Shenzhen has become an important export base for hi-tech products. The export volume in1999 reached RMB 42.6 billion yuan, which amounted to 52% of the total. At 1999's exhibition, 125 kinds of products developed by 87 representative hi-tech enterprises have been collected and displayed as a conclusive proof of the hi-tech achievements in Shenzhen. Hi-tech products export is contributing to the foreign trade export benefit index of hi-tech enterprises in comparison with that of industrial enterprises output value of Shenzhen hi-tech products industrial structure of Shenzhen hi-tech industry. Added value of hi-tech products in contributory to Shenzhen industrial added value and GDP is very promising. The present industrial bases of hi-tech products in Shenzhen play an important role in Shenzhen's New Economy. They are mainly as follows:

• Computer Manufacturing and Software Developing Industries
• Telecommunication Industry
• Digital Audio-Visual Technology Industry
• Network Industry
• Photo-Macaronis Industry
• Biological Engineering Industry
• Microelectronics & Basic Components
• New Material, New Energy and Environmental Protection Industries.