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CHINA> Special Reports
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Haidian Science Park: Model for innovation
By Yang Wanli (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-09-10 08:51
With its many nationally famous hi-tech enterprises and proven pool of talented professionals, Zhongguancun Haidian Science Park (HSP) has now been approved by the central government to build the nation's first "model and core base" for innovation. Lin Fusheng, mayor of Haidian district, explains that the model and core roles will require HSP to attract the most advanced technologies and talented people - and find ways to nurture more successful enterprises and brands worldwide. The concept was proposed in March this year and has won full support from the local and central governments. "To be a model base means we expect to demonstrate to the whole nation how to transform our innovation capacity into industrial strength. To be a core base indicates that construction and development of HSP is the most important task in Haidian district." Lin said. "We should make full use of the advantages of our high technology, excellent entrepreneurs and favorable policies to build a nationally and internationally renowned science park." According to Lin, to select a pioneer for innovation from among the many science parks in China is an idea that has long been considered by the central government. "Haidian has the advantages to be their best choice," he said confidently, "We have 20 years experience in promoting growth of newborn hi-tech enterprises, the most intensive knowledge resources and strongest research capacities in China." When it was started two decades ago, the boundaries of HSP incorporated about 80 existing colleges and universities, including prestigious Peking University and Tsinghua University. The institutes of higher learning together produce over 20,000 undergraduates and 5,000 postgraduates each year. In addition, it is home to 219 research institutes including the Chinese Academy of Sciences that have more than 36 percent of the country's academicians. In 2008, the hi-tech industry in HSP generated 490 billion yuan in business revenues, 50 percent of total of all industries in the park. Lin said the development of a model and core innovation base will foster more champions in the hi-tech industry and build a number of internationally renowned homegrown enterprises with independent brands and famous products. Natural selection "Hi-tech enterprises are the real players of a science park. How the companies perform is the criteria to judge the performance of the park as a whole," Lin said. He admitted that many newborn enterprises are now facing big challenges under the pressure of the current global finanical crisis. "The public is concerned with what the government can do to help in this circumstance. My answer is that the government will surely offer its assistance, but natural selection is something that every new enterprise should face in a competitive environment," Lin said. "The best way to help those enterprises is to let them learn how to survive ruthless competition," Lin said. "Natural selection is also inevitable." According to statistics there are dozens of enterprises registering in Zhongguancun every day, but most of them are die off due to fierce competition. "We consider the financial crisis as a test that enterprises should pass," he added. "At this moment, our top concern is to ensure that fewer people lose their jobs," Lin said. "I believe our new incentive policies in promoting employment will provide more opportunities for enterprises, helping them alleviate pressures in this specific period." Many new enterprises in China now have capacity for innovation with their own patents. But the big problem in facing entrepreneurs is how to operate the companies well. Zhang Xiuying, chief of the International Promotion & Cooperation Division of the Administrative Committee of HSP, said in order to enhance the operational ability of the companies, the park usually invites experts in business administration to give free lectures to management personnel. "We expect to have more potential enterprises to develop in Haidian Science Park," she said. "To help them grow bigger and stronger is our major task". Green Park To build a green park is also an important part of HSP's initiative to develop a model and core innovation base. Using fewer resources to produce more value is what is now required from new enterprises. According to the statistics, energy consumption for per unit of gross domestic product in Haidian is only a half of Beijing's and a quarter of the nation's average. "To protect the intellectual property rights of the enterprises here is another great responsibility that the government should take," said Haidian Mayor Lin. "The district government encourages more enterprises to develop their own patents." As the essential part of innovation work, patent protection is gradually becoming a greater concern with more enterprises."The environment is not perfect yet, some people still lack awareness on patent protection. But I believe the situation will change soon in the future as we make new efforts on patent protection," Lin said.
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