The central government has put forward the overall strategic goal of building an innovative country. The Outline of the National Medium- and Long-Term Scientific and Technological Development Plan has been released. The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) jointly established the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT) in February 2006 after friendly discussion based on CAS's requirements on the adjustment of scientific and technological layout and Shenzhen's implementation of an innovative city strategy. A board management model has been adopted for SIAT to explore institutional and mechanism innovations.

After 13 years of development, SIAT has now initially built a micro collaborative innovation ecosystem that integrates research, education, industry and capital with a focus on scientific research.

On November 16, 2018, the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government and CAS signed the Agreement on the Co-Establishment of the Shenzhen University of Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Shenzhen. This agreement was signed to leverage the scientific research strength of SIAT and CAS in Guangdong Province to build the Shenzhen University of Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. SIAT will seize the opportunities driven by the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the pilot demonstration area of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It will actively explore institutional and mechanism innovations at this reform forefront and continue to address international frontier technology issues. SIAT will also proactively deploy strategic emerging industries and continuously promote the integration of science and education and innovative development in multiple directions.