Chaoyang district fuels its scientific ambitions

In recent years, Chaoyang district has utilized its business and technological strengths to contribute its share to Beijing's goal of becoming a global digital economy benchmark, with a focus on application and internationalization.

Shu Bilei, deputy head of the Chaoyang district government, revealed that as of 2024, the combined GDP share of the district's information services and science and technology services sectors reached 23.7 percent.

The information services industry emerged as the second-largest pillar industry in Chaoyang, with a value-added contribution rate of 32.3 percent, the highest among all sectors. The technology services sector accounted for 21.1 percent of the city's total revenue.

Chaoyang boasts a digital economy cluster focused on industrial internet, artificial intelligence and digital security. The cluster plays host to nearly 700 AI-related companies. Chaoyang has also ventured into future industries like the metaverse, digital healthcare and optoelectronics, with Beijing's first digital healthcare park located in the district.

"We are building world-class industrial parks, with 20 high-quality specialized parks underway," Shu said. "The Web 3.0 industrial park, within two years of opening, has attracted over 270 enterprises, with two applying for public listing."

Chaoyang is also enhancing its digital economy by leveraging its rich resources in commerce, creative industries, tourism, sports, finance and healthcare. These efforts foster integration between technologies like AI and various application scenarios.

The district has created an internationally open ecosystem and is home to the country's first cluster of international science and technology organization headquarters, which now hosts 13 organizations.

Shu said: "We have established international science and technology service stations in 12 countries and we are developing an international venture capital hub, with the 'Venture Capital Lounge' event series having been held in 294 enterprises.

"Additionally, Chaoyang has launched a technology innovation center in collaboration with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and co-constructed two Web 3.0 innovation centers, supporting both international businesses looking to set up operations in China and local companies seeking overseas expansion," Shu said.

As a key AI industry hub, Chaoyang is developing infrastructure to support the growth of the industry, including the Beijing Digital Economy Computing Center and the Beijing-Inner Mongolia collaborative computing cluster, while advancing a computing power partnership program.

Chaoyang is also promoting AI applications across various scenarios, constructing specialized industrial parks, refining industry policies on scientific and technological innovation, and strengthening the guiding role of innovation funds. In addition, the district is building an AI talent ecosystem to align talent supply with industry demand.