News

Thriving in an international climate

By Zhang Xiuying (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-09-13 08:26

The success of a science park can depend on whether it is inside or outside a city or whether it is close to universities - but more importantly it's not about the location, but the nature of the park and the service it provides, said Luis Sanz, director general of the International Association of Science Parks (IASP).

Integration of measures for information monitoring policies, capital funding and media is not only crucial, but provides methods and references for building an international urban center for innovation. Zhongguancun has proven the notions true in practice.

Online service center

The Haidian Science Park (HSP) started building an "Information Bridge" (www.iBridge.com.cn) in 2004 to help explore new development models in the Internet age.

The government-funded program, based on Web 2.0 technology, is an innovative bid to integrate technology with services, allowing all members to share information throughout the day.

The system became operational in 2007 and now plays an important role in helping enterprises share information and resources.

"The iBridge is a new model for network-based science parks," said Xiu Xiaoping, director of the Torch Program at the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Professor Martin Grossman from the Bridgewater State College in the US wrote a report on iBridge, calling it "an emerging global knowledge management platform".

Policies and capital

HSP has also begun a fund for international cooperation management to integrate resources on a global level.

The 5 million yuan fund for international cooperation among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which began a three-year testing period in 2006, was the first among China's 57 high-tech zones to encourage international cooperation among enterprises.

The effort resulted in 45 patents from 53 cooperative projects by the end of 2008.

Companies involved not only saved costs, but also reduced risks. Participating businesses saw their average income and profit more than double and average foreign exchange earnings nearly triple.

Global cooperation continues to strengthen with 95 countries and regions involved participating in HSP's international programs by 2009.

Media partnership

Introducing enterprises using a TV program has also promoted awareness of the HSP on the international market.

The television show "Towards China", produced by Haidian and Hong Kong's Phoenix TV in 2006, has aired in prime time in Europe.

In its first two years it covered nearly 150 companies in the IT, bio-medicine energy and software industries. With 300 experts and entrepreneurs interviewed, the program was a great boost for Haidian's international recognition.

Shows about the first Chinese enterprises to operate in Europe attracted a large European audience and overseas media attention, including from the BBC.

Starting from an electronics market two decades ago, Zhongguancun now becomes the hub of China's IT industry. It tops the sixth as the world's best center of excellence in IT listed by the famed UK website Vnunet.com in 2009.

Open working platform

Along with it, the HSP has developed many partners around the world and brought a number of research programs to fruition. "iBridge office in HSP is just like a classroom for MBA, where we are deeply impressed by the innovation practice," said Professor and Dr Virginia Trigo from Business Administration University of Lisbon after he visited the HSP.

During the three years since the launch of the platform, a number of groups from various countries have already come and show their interests on it.

Internationalization has proven the right choice for the HSP through an innovative combination of production, study and research.

The author is vice-director of the Haidian Science Park and director of its international cooperation department.

(China Daily 09/13/2010 page)