The Beijing municipal government announced 19 measures to combat the novel coronavirus on Monday. They aim to make full use of the Chinese capital’s capacity for scientific and technological innovation, strengthen its abilities to research and develop effective drugs, increase connectivity with pharmacies and medical equipment manufacturers, and encourage those companies to open offices in Zhongguancun parks. The city will also improve online consultancy for pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus, and support key technological R&D and product demonstration for medical AI. 

The new measures to contain the epidemic will further streamline procedures of administrative approval, reinforce financial support for prevention and control, offer better services for enterprises, support the city’s scientific and technological innovation efforts in prevention and control work, and ensure its smooth operation. 

In particular, to buttress the role of scientific and technological innovation to curb the epidemic, the city will do the following jobs. 

First, the city will reinforce R&D on drugs for treating the virus. Specifically, the government will announce policies on R&D to promote innovation on drugs and health, support medical institutions to conduct clinical research relating to prevention, control, diagnosis, and innovation, help bring more new medical equipment and drugs into clinical use as soon as possible, support pharmacies to speed up R&D on and production of drugs and test kits for the novel coronavirus. 

Second, the city will better connect with pharmacies and medical equipment manufacturers, encouraging them to open offices in Zhongguancun parks. The city will fully tap into the third-party technology and service platforms to accelerate R&D on and production of related drugs and medical equipment. The city will also fast-track the vetting and permitting process for antiviral and outbreak-prevention products.

Third, the city will promote big data and AI applications. Specifically, the city will implement Beijing’s big data action plan, encourage the merging, sharing, and other interactions between government and private databases. The city will conduct AI applications for screening and allocation of supplies. It will also improve online consultancy concerning pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus, and support key technological R&D and product demonstration for medical AI. 

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