Fostering innovation has big payoff
By developing innovative industries with high-tech expertise, Beijing's Chaoyang district is reaping economic growth and emerging momentum for industrial development.
The district generated revenue of 1.88 billion yuan ($274.49 million) from its science research and technical service industry in the first half of 2020, at a growth rate of 10 percent from the same period of 2019, according to the local government.
The government credited the growth in revenue to the district's achievements in fostering new business forms and improving its industrial ecosystem.
As a crucial area of the district's science and technology innovation development, Zhongguancun Chaoyang Park, a sub-park of Zhongguancun Science Park, has rolled out a series of supportive policies to stimulate the cultivation and development of emerging industries.
"In terms of venture capital, Zhongguancun Chaoyang Park will grant subsidies to newly registered financial institutions based on their registered capital scales," said a senior executive with Zhongguancun Chaoyang Park. "In the aspect of enterprise listing, according to different sectors, the park will offer financial support."
The park ramped up ef orts in research and development involving 5G terminals, biopharmaceuticals and software last year. This helped attract a raft of projects, including the China Academy of Industrial Internet, Huawei Kunpeng innovative center and an R&D business of the food and beverage giant Nestle.
Geek+ is a startup based in Zhongguancun Chaoyang Park. Founded in 2015, it is an intelligent robot company, providing logistics products and solutions to help companies transform and upgrade their logistics.
Between March and April, the company installed hundreds of autonomous mobile robots for the global sports goods retailer Decathlon's two new order centers in China.
Coupled with an advanced radio frequency identification technology, the robots helped improve the global retailer's sorting process and cut the timing to a large extent, Chinese media reported.
Under the help of Geek+, the average labor productivity of Decathlon warehouse workers has improved three times. The retailer's inventory capacity has increased by 40 percent, according to the company.
Up to now, Geek+ has deployed more than 10,000 autonomous mobile robots around the world and established bases in more than 20 countries. Its partners include some 300 well-known brands such as Nike, Decathlon, Walmart, Toyota and Suning.
Behind its quick market expansion is the startup's cutting-edge technological achievements.
So far, Geek+ has obtained 400 overseas patents, among which, there are 200 patents related to robot performance and algorithms.
Geek+ is an epitome of the rapid development of high-tech companies in Chaoyang district, according to the local government.
Zhongguancun Chaoyang Park is home to 1,362 high-tech companies, of which 1,003 are State-level ones.
From January to June, industrial enterprises in the park above designated scale-those with an annual sales revenue surpassing 20 million yuan-collectively generated a revenue of 343.87 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 17.8 percent.
Looking ahead, the park will use new-generation information technology as a tool and focus on industries including artificial intelligence, integrated circuits, and medicine and health, to promote industrial integration and innovation, according to the local government.
Chaoyang district released its action plan on new infrastructure and new scenario construction on Aug 26. It outlined that by 2022, the district will establish more than 4,000 5G base stations.
The district will also build a series of new scenario demonstration zones to deepen the integration of innovative technologies. These include as AI, 5G, the internet of things, big data and blockchain with urban management, government services and smart transportation, according to the district government.
zhangdandan@chinadaily.com.cn