Shenzhen will accelerate the construction of a number of overseas and industrial innovation centers this year as part of its efforts to ramp up innovation-driven economic growth.

The city in southern Guangdong province plans to build 10 overseas innovation centers in countries and regions where there are abundant resources - such as the US, Canada and Europe - to absorb and make use of the innovative skilled staff located there.

Shenzhen Mayor Xu Qin mapped out the initiative in his government work report on Friday, when the Shenzhen people's congress kicked off.