Storyline Scenario opening-up initiative boosts application of innovations across China In China, an increase of what's called "application scenarios" is helping advance the country's development across a range of sectors. Application scenarios are real-world situations where companies can test new products and services, perfect them, and develop them for mass production. This strategy has been useful for a municipal water company in east China's Nanjing City. Researchers say with more application scenarios, they’ve been able develop their own equipment for specific solutions rather than relying on imported parts and gear. Chai Chunyan, Nanjing Water Industry Research Institute: "Much of the equipment used in China's water sector used to come from foreign brands, and many of our standards, including those for supplier bidding, had to follow their standards. By opening up scenarios, and with rapid iteration, we are better poised to establish our own standards and reshape the ecosystem for our technology products." The coastal provinces of Guangdong and Fujian, as well as Dalian City are focusing on marine economy scenarios in deep- and far-sea aquaculture, offshore wind power, and marine engineering equipment. Meanwhile, regional centers like Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Hefei are covering scenarios in smart transportation and digital government services. And in Beijing, Chengdu, and Wuhan, scenarios in public services like smart healthcare and elderly care are boosting development. According to institutional forecasts, 2026 is expected to be key for scenario cultivation in China with scenario-driven innovation set to move from isolated breakthrough to ecosystem-based development. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]