Zhongguancun

Zhongguancun Leads Nation in Innovation

Updated: 2010-03-04 17:43

Two milestones

The Electronics Street in Haidian district, lined with markets and shops selling hi-tech goods, became popular during the 1980s and helped the area to gain national recognition.

A few small tech firms, tentative operations of the neighboring universities, research institutes and even some individuals, began to settle in the area. About this time the State Council approved Zhongguancun as Beijing New Technology Industrial Development and Experimental Zone, the first hi-tech zone in China. This was the first important step for the science park’s growth.

New facilities in western Zhongguancun include the China Technology Trade Center, National Digital Copyright Research Center and the Capital Technology Intermediate Service Center that will help commercialize the area’s noted technologies.

In 1999 the Zhongguancun zone was expanded to cover a number of large developments in several districts in Beijing. The Electronics street and its neighboring areas in Haidian district was named the Haidian Science Park.

Today Haidian Science Park is the nerve center of Zhongguancun Science Park and covers a vast area of more than 100 sq km in Zhongguancun and more than 300 sq km in adjacent areas. It is made up of a dozen industrial zones and parks.

Some of the original small tech firms have grown into internationally renowned names such as Lenovo. Also, dozens of overseas big names, such as IBM, Microsoft, Intel, French Telecom, AMD and Google, have established operations there, including regional headquarters and research and development centers.

The construction of Zhongguancun national innovation model park marks the second key step for Zhongguancun’s growth.

Haidian authorities see it as a great opportunity for the development of the whole district and are excited about implementing the program.

A leadership team of top officials of the Haidian district, has been established to look after the operations of the innovation model park and the core area in Haidian.

Recent development

Over the past year, around 30 key projects to improve the basic infrastructure have been underway.

Fourteen projects were built in the western Zhongguancun area, including the China Technology Trade Center, National Digital Copyright Research Center and the Capital Technology Intermediate Service Center.

A major task of the local government is to promote cooperation between enterprises, universities and research institutions, said Lin.

Another important aspect is financing these operations. Last year, 12 technology-oriented financial institutions were introduced into the western Zhongguancun area.

The Zhongguancun Equity Investment Building also became operational, and is now home to 38 new equity investment companies, managing a total of 100 billion yuan.

In the future, Lin said, the local government would continue to work to develop the innovation model park.

“Preferential policies is not our only offering,” said the mayor, “our tasks will include proposing a strategic development plan, continuing to improve infrastructure and services, deepening financial reforms, strengthening international cooperation and promoting closer ties among enterprises, universities and research institutions.”

Lin also hopes to improve basic services. For example he said that the time taken for approving business startup will be shortened by at least 50 percent.

With regard to finance, Lin expects a national equity trade and investment center will be established which will house about 200 companies and manage total assets of more than 150 billion yuan.

Lin looks forward to Zhongguancun becoming an international innovation base for technology, with facilities such as a research center, business center, trade center and human resources training center.

By ZHAO SHIJUN

Editor: Guo Changdong