Zhongguancun

Global partners key to further hi-tech growth

Updated: 2010-03-04 16:09

High-flying forum

Brilliant thinkers and high-profile figures came to contribute to discussions at the Zhongguancun Forum held last November, in an example of international cooperation that Zhao hopes to see continue.

Government officials, scientists, and economists from a dozen countries including China, the United States and France offered suggestions for Zhongguancun’s development, covering topics like entrepreneurship, government policies and building a system for innovation.

Backed by one of China’s most prestigious universities, the Tsinghua Science Park is a top hi-tech zone in Haidian.

Famous Chinese economist Justin Lin, who is also the vice-president and chief economist of the World Bank, stressed the importance of the proper environment and government policies in the development of industries.

Nobel economics laureate Robert Mondale told the forum that society should create a favorable environment to encourage innovation and foster entrepreneurship, including mature regulatory oversight and intellectual property laws.

“World-leading ideas and information will help Zhongguancun become a science park with international standing,” Zhao said.

Zhao thinks it is also important to attract more multinational companies, and talent from other countries to help Zhongguancun become a first-class park.

At the same time local enterprises should be encouraged to expand globally so they can acquire experience and new skills by operating in international markets.

Lenovo is an example of a local firm successfully going global. In 2004, Lenovo purchased IBM, becoming the third-largest PC manufacturer in the world. In 2008, it joined the list of Fortune 500 companies.

By ZHAO SHIJUN

Editor: Guo Changdong