The groundbreaking ceremony of the Taopu Smart City and the second phase of the China-Israel (Shanghai) Innovation Park is held in Shanghai on Jan 8. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

The construction of Taopu Smart City as well as the second phase of the China-Israel (Shanghai) Innovation Park was launched in Putuo district, Shanghai, on Jan 8.

The Taopu area is expected to be on par with Zhangjiang Science City in Pudong New Area as a key center for developing Shanghai into a science and technology innovation center with global influence.

Putuo will strengthen cooperation with Lingang Group, Shanghai Huayi (Group) Company and Shanghai Construction Group to push forward the newly launched project, said Cao Liqiang, Party secretary of Putuo district.

With a combined construction area of 545,000 square meters, the project involves constructing offices and scientific research zones with a garden environment on two parcels of land.