Researchers pool their knowledge during this year's Ningbo Talents, Science and Technology Week on Sept 20. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Ningbo in eastern Zhejiang province is accelerating its clustering of industrial research institutes, to attract more brains and drive its manufacturing sector.

Since 2018, the city has brought in 12 new industrial research institutes, along with 600 staff members who are integrating into the city's industrial powerhouse.

"These institutes are becoming pools for innovative and entrepreneurial talent," said a spokesperson for the science and technology bureau in Ningbo.

To date, Ningbo has established 60 research institutes and attracted over 30,000 professionals to locate there, over 70 percent of whom are elite researchers.

"The research teams are led by 16 academicians and over 2,000 doctors from home and abroad," added the spokesperson.

"Their joint force is creating a strong momentum into the technology fields of our city," he added.

The institutes have undertaken over 100 national R&D projects and are currently incubating over 500 smaller ones.

"They are bridging research laboratories and markets," the spokesperson noted.

The institutes will also make an appearance at the ongoing 2019 Ningbo Talents, Science and Technology Week, to showcase 129 products for investors and offer positions to job-seekers.