Top tech: Zhongguancun Science Park

Visitors examine a robot made by Zhongguancun-based Zhinengjia Technology Co. Feng Yongbin / China Daily

In the spotlight at ongoing high-tech expo in Beijing

With a range of innovative products and technologies on display, Zhongguancun Science Park is once again a highlight of the Beijing International High-Tech Expo that this year opened on May 14.

With its focus on smart technologies, it is the 16th time that the nation's leading science park has been a mainstay of the top tech fair in Beijing.

This time Zhongguancun is bringing over 130 local tech enterprises to the China International Exhibition Center, giving visitors a glimpse of trends for today and the future.

Authorities of the science park also want to use the event to demonstrate its innovative business environment to companies from China and abroad, according to an official of the park.

In addition to exhibition areas for companies to display their products, Zhongguancun Science Park also has a demonstration to show its distinct innovation "ecosystem" through pictures, data and multimedia displays.

Through the demonstration, the science park wants to highlight its advantages in human resources, technology, capital, innovative policies and services, said the official.

The demo also tells success stories of companies in the science park, whether heavyweights or startups.

In the past 20 years, Zhongguancun has attracted a wide range of leading companies in the technology industry including Microsoft, Google, IBM, Baidu and Lenovo.

The number of registered companies with assets surpassing 1 billion yuan ($160 million) in the science park reached 1,897, up 48 percent compared to 2011.

The big names also join cooperation projects every year to help startups improve their innovation capability.

The demo also shows the significant support from leading universities and research institutions in the science park.

The core area of Zhongguancun is home to 32 universities including prestigious Peking and Tsinghua, and 206 research institutes at State and municipal levels.

The institutions have made breakthroughs in mobile communications, integrated circuits, life sciences and many other fields.

The science park has gathered some of the nation's best brains including one-third of the country's experts at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

Zhongguancun also attracts increasing numbers of professionals from overseas.

Another appeal to enterprises is the financing system for the high-tech industry, according to the demo.

A cluster of financial agencies including banks, investment institutions and venture capital companies offer needed financing. Online banking and other innovative channels offer alternative approaches to funding.

Zhongguancun is now home to 231 publicly listed companies.

The science park offers comprehensive services including a one-stop solution providing help from governments and various agencies.

It had more than 120 service agencies by the end of 2012, helping some 12,000 enterprises.

Among other efforts, the agencies help enterprises locate venues for operation and find investors and new projects.

The area also organizes business training and publications for entrepreneurs to get the latest information.

Service agencies also help enterprises build and promote their brands in other regions of the country and the rest of the world.

The center of China's most bold and ambitious entrepreneurs, Zhongguancun has its own business ethos of encouraging innovation even at the cost of failures, said the park's administration committee.

Every year conferences and seminars help young entrepreneurs learn from successful businesspeople and experts, according to the demo.

With a focus on innovation, Zhongguancun has become the engine of the country's high-tech industry.

During the five-day expo in Beijing, enterprises from Zhongguancun will showcase their new intelligent products that can be used in everyday life.