High-tech Beijing hub launches innovation initiative

Beijing's Zhongguancun Science Park, one of China's top high-tech innovation hubs, has started an initiative that invites young people from overseas to work or intern in the capital.

The initiative, called Inno Pioneer, was launched in mid-June. It aims to attract students and other young professionals from overseas universities and research organizations to start businesses, work for startups or take training at the park, which covers 488 square kilometers and has more than 20,000 companies.

Zeng Xiaodong, director of international business at the Zhongguancun Science Park Administrative Committee, said the move would encourage innovation, which comes from communication, collaboration and brainstorming.

"The initiative will enable young people from all over the world who are interested in innovation to gather in Zhongguancun and accelerate their efforts to make new things and innovate," he told reporters at Inno Pioneer's launch ceremony.

"The success of Silicon Valley lies in its internationalization and global horizons. Young talented people from everywhere with aspiration to innovate are attracted to it and commercialize their ideas."

Zeng added that such projects should be supported and encouraged if China wants to build upon its strengths in innovation and high-tech industries.

Sam Jang from South Korea, CEO of SounDUX, said his company had already benefitted from Zhongguancun's pro-innovation stance, adding that he looked forward to finding more young workers through the Inno Pioneer initiative.

"My company is in the music copyright trade business, which requires talented people from all over the world. The biggest advantage of the Inno Pioneer initiative is that it can gather top professionals from not only China but also foreign nations," he said.

Philippe Bardol, commercial investment counselor at the French Embassy in Beijing, told China Daily that Paris now has 50 large business incubators and about 20,000 startups and the French capital is eager to have more exchanges with Beijing, especially Zhongguancun, and the entrepreneurs in both cities.

The French Embassy in Beijing hopes incubator projects like Inno Pioneer will help young French entrepreneurs understand the importance and potential of the Chinese market, he said, noting that the embassy has invited 15 to 20 French companies to cooperate commercially with firms in Zhongguancun.

Officials from the Beijing government and Zhongguancun management committee have offered a number of favorable measures to overseas business people including long-term visas and fast approval procedures, Bardol said.