High-tech hub

More buildings in the western area are provided to innovative corporations and scientific research institutes.

Now, the area accommodates more than 100 large technological research and development companies as well as 120 technical service agencies and 243 financial institutes.

Out of nearly 3,000 companies added in the area in the past three years, 93 percent are involved in high-tech and cultural and creative industries.

As of September, the area had nearly 980 Chinese professionals who had returned from overseas, up 24 percent from 2010, and more than 64,000 staff with bachelor's degree or above, up 27 percent from 2010.

An entrepreneur told China Daily that when you ran into a young man here 10 years ago, he was in all likelihood to buy a computer. But now, he may come here to start a business.

Zhang Qi, deputy general manager of Zhongguancun Dream Laboratory, also said more and more young people are pursuing their dreams in the western area.

"They always bring an entire new perspective and approaches when creating the future," he said.

"I have seen the rise and splendor of electronic product shopping malls, and their chaos and decline," said Tian Yichuan, deputy director of the administrative committee of Zhongguancun western area.

"Now, I am seeing the great vitality brought by the industrial transformation to the area."

The transformation is not over and the Zhongguancun western area will have a better future, Tian said.

haonan@chinadaily.com.cn