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CHINA> Special Reports
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iBridge: 'One world, one science park'
By Zhang Xiuying (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-09-11 08:13
With economic globalization and the rapid development of network technology calling for a new solution to the sustainable development of hi-tech parks around the world, the Information Bridge - more colloquially known as iBridge - is an innovative bid to meet the challenges stemming from globalization and a "knowledge-based" society. The initiative attracted global attention due to its pioneering role in China's economic reform. Based on Web 2.0 technology, the government-sponsored project provides a network platform for exchange and cooperation between companies in technological parks in China and around the world. Initiated by the Zhongguancun Haidian Science Park (HSP) in 2003, iBridge offers the latest industrial information and helps companies find business opportunities. At the same time, it has also created an online community of participants through various web-based services. With blogs, communities, recommendations, RSS and other web-based tools on the platform, iBridge is the first of its kind to be devised by any of the 54 national science parks in China to provide such a strong platform. News releases, shared opinions, product marketing, social networking, posting articles and comments as well as others means of communications have enabled registered users to access information and communicate with one another more successfully. Han Yongfei, president of Onets Wireless & Internet Security Tech Co Ltd in Haidian, said: "I was very surprised when I first heard that HSP was to use Web 2.0, as many enterprises (even dot coms) at that time were not using this cutting-edge technology. iBridge is an ideal business platform, and has been especially useful for our company." Theory application
By integrating all of HSP's resources as well as those around the world and using technology as a tool, iBridge can provide a practical solution to the problem of isolated product development and drastically expand the incubating service platform. Take the International Association of Science Parks (IASP) as an example. Currently it has 350 members operating around the world, containing 110,000 hi-tech companies. In China, there are a total of 54 hi-tech industry development zones. HSP is now home to 16,314 tech-based small and mid-size companies, with 513,500 people across various industries. We can envision the power of a small number when it is multiplied by a very large number - it is a similar model that has sustained the science parks. Features and functions Through the use of three major web-based tools - blogs, communities, and conferences. iBridge has been widely acknowledged as an ideal instrument for marketing China by providing an interactive service platform for businesses, organizations, experts and governmental departments to jointly participate in. It is also a bridge for Chinese businesses to operate internationally and for foreign businesses to enter China. Managed by HSP authorities, the non-profit, one-stop platform provides membership services both in Chinese and English. There are four types of members - governmental organizations, businesses, institutions, and individuals. With easy access to iBridge's resources, such as the latest research findings, up-to-date industrial developments, investment opportunities, products and conferences, users can exchange industrial information and share professional insights. SME fund In September 2006, the Fund for International Cooperation was launched by HSP, with the aim of supporting international cooperation by small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) in the park. The fund is especially designed to finance tech-based enterprises that have prominent projects oriented towards international markets. To date, the fund has financed more than 100 projects relating to intellectual property rights for some 100 enterprises, spurring the growth of the regional economy. The fund has not only received a positive response from the public in its funding of SMEs but also generated profits. The Beijing Accelet Corporation, a software solutions and service provider, is one of the beneficiaries that received capital from the fund. Sun Yong, president of the company, said: "When we heard about the fund, we began to integrate the company's development with international projects from HSP. "At present, we have begun working with SPI, an enterprise from Portugal, to promote our Chinese teaching products and relevant services in Portugal and other parts of Europe." Strategic cooperation The early 2007 saw a framework agreement for cooperation between HSP and SPI signed in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, with Premier Wen Jiabao and the Portuguese Prime Minister, Jose Socrates, attending the signing ceremony. HSP has maintained a close relationship with IASP for many years. In 1993, the predecessor of HSP - Beijing New Technology Industrial Development and Experimental Zone applied to host the annual IASP conference. In 1995, the fourth IASP International Conference was held in Beijing, the first time an international science park conference was held in China. In December 2008, a new framework agreement of strategic cooperation between IASP and HSP was signed in Beijing, marking a brand-new starting point of cooperation between the two parties. The need to further strength long-term cooperation between the two parties was fully recognized and supported by Lin Fusheng, director of HSP, Zhao Fengtong, deputy mayor of Beijing, and Joan Bellavista, president of IASP. Partnerships were also set up with the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, and Westchester county, New York. In August 2008, HSP and Westchester county of the US signed an agreement to work together in a variety of fields such as training, business cooperation, information and technology exchanges. iBridge was selected as the platform and information carrier for both parties. Future prospects As enterprises in the park enhance their research and development strength and improve production capacity, HSP is looking to become a national demonstration park in terms of independent innovation, promoting internationalization, strengthening enterprises' international competitiveness, fostering an innovative environment and providing impetus for future development. As more and more members from governments, institutions, associations, enterprises and experts at home and abroad enlist, iBridge will become a more attractive collaboration center, where people from different regions can communicate. With "one world, one science park" in mind, we strongly believe that the iBridge will play a more important role in increasing connectivity and boosting the development of science parks in China and around the world. The author is the deputy director of the General Affairs Office of Zhongguancun Haidian Science Park
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