Peers Around The World: Driving innovation with Z-Park

In this month’s edition of our  Peers Around the World series, where we hear from leaders in innovation from across our global network, we spoke with Zhang Jihong, Director-General of Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission, Administrative Commission of Zhongguancun Science Park.    

Given Zhongguancun's many years of activity and its special reputation as the birthplace of global tech giants like Lenovo, ByteDance (TikTok's parent company), and Didi, as well as the home of research headquarters of multiple world-renowned technology enterprises including Google, Intel, and Microsoft, what specific factors or policies do you believe were most crucial in enabling the rise of these companies, and what strategies are being implemented to maintain its competitive edge on a global scale and nurture the next generation of world-leading tech firms?   

Z-Park’s advantage in nurturing and attracting world-class enterprises lies primarily in its unparalleled concentration of scientific, educational, and intellectual resources, coupled with a highly appealing innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. With more than 90 universities and over 1,000 research institutes, we have developed robust mechanisms for transforming scientific and technological achievements into industrial applications and for incubating cutting-edge industries. On average, over 300 technology-based startups are established here every day, turning innovations from “bookshelves” to “store shelves.”  

Our innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem is vibrant and dynamic. We are home to more than 500 tech incubators, over 60 specialized industrial parks, 600 social organizations, and thousands of professional service institutions providing legal, accounting, and intellectual property services. Private equity investment is highly active, continuously attracting top talent to start businesses and invest here. This has led to the steady emergence of leading products, services, and business models.  

It is precisely this rich concentration of scientific and educational resources, combined with a dynamic innovation ecosystem, that enables us to cultivate and cluster so many world-class enterprises. 

How does Z-Park ensure collaboration between universities, research institutions, and private enterprises to drive innovation? Can you highlight a successful case where a central lab or university partnered with industry under your current funding and incentive model?    

We promote deep integration of scientific and industrial innovation by aligning an efficient market with a well-functioning government. On one hand, we strengthen the role of enterprises as the main drivers of scientific and technological innovation by encouraging them to work closely with universities and research institutes. Together, they identify key technological challenges based on industrial needs, conduct joint R&D efforts, and cultivate technical talent. This fosters a collaborative innovation ecosystem led by enterprises, integrating industry, academia, and research.  

On the other hand, we leverage our solid industrial business foundation and China’s vast market to improve the technology transfer system, enhance policy support and market services, and accelerate the application and iteration of domestically developed technologies. This enables more scientific and technological outcomes to evolve from prototypes into products, and eventually into full-fledged industries. We also emphasize the role of technology finance in supporting innovation and business growth by guiding capital to invest early, in smaller firms, with long-term commitment, especially in hard technologies. 

One outstanding example is the National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing (NIBS), which was established in 2005 through joint efforts by the Beijing Municipal Government and national ministries such as the Ministry of Science and Technology. Over the past two decades, it has pioneered a new model that generates high returns on scientific and technological results by moving breakthroughs from the lab into real-world application, addressing public health challenges. For instance, its discovery of the receptors for hepatitis B and D viruses caused a global stir in the academic community. Building on this, Huahui Health was founded to advance the development of antiviral drugs for hepatitis B and D, turning cutting-edge research into concrete medical solutions.  

The upcoming IASP World Conference in Beijing presents a significant opportunity for global collaboration. What role do you believe international partnerships have in enabling scientific and technological advancement within Z-Park? What specific experiences or insights do you hope attendees will gain from engaging directly with Z-Park's ecosystem? 

Openness and cooperation are defining features of Z-Park, while innovation-driven development remains our enduring theme. Our progress in innovation has been powered by the highly open and well-regulated flow of global innovation resources. Today, we are actively building an open innovation ecosystem with global appeal, aiming to bridge technological divides and promote shared development and prosperity.  

Currently, we host more than 300 regional headquarters of multinational companies and 279 foreign-funded R&D centers. The Cluster for the Headquarters of International Science and Technology Organizations is now home to 13 global institutions. We support enterprises in Z-Park to go global by establishing overseas science parks and incubators. Nearly 1,000 listed companies from Z-Park have set up branches abroad, further strengthening our role as a key hub in the global innovation network. 

During the 42nd IASP World Conference, delegates will not only engage in face-to-face discussions during plenary and parallel sessions but also experience the application of cutting-edge technologies such as robotics and intelligent services within the venue. In addition, multiple site visits have been arranged, allowing participants to explore Z-Park in person and gain insights into frontier technologies and emerging industries, including artificial intelligence, healthcare, and robotics. They will also have the chance to engage directly with scientists and entrepreneurs. We believe these activities will leave a lasting impression. 

Speaking of Beijing, how is the city balancing rapid technological development, particularly within fields such as AI, quantum computing, and biotechnology? Could you elaborate on any upcoming major projects or policy changes that will significantly impact the technological and innovation ecosystem in Beijing? 

In recent years, Beijing has made remarkable progress in those frontier fields. We are building Beijing into a leading global city of AI. To support this vision, we have developed a number of high-quality sector-specific science parks, including Zhongguancun Software Park, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Zhongguancun Dongsheng Technology Park, Zhongguancun Embodied Intelligence Innovation Industrial Park, and Zhongguancun Quantum Technology Park.  

We have also established world-class new-type research institutions such as the Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence, the Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Sciences, and the National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing. Leading companies like Xiaomi, Baidu, JD.com, and Douyin have all emerged from this vibrant innovation ecosystem.  

At the same time, we place great importance on ensuring alignment with safety and ethical standards. We have introduced targeted policies to strengthen the governance of science and technology ethics. 

When you reflect on your work in Beijing's science and technology sector, particularly with Zhongguancun, what kind of lasting impact do you hope your efforts will have, both for the city and for the next generation of innovators?

We are accelerating efforts to build Z-Park into a world-leading science and technology hub. Guided by forward-looking ideas, we aim to lead in original innovation, talent development, top-tier enterprises, high-end industries, and an open innovation ecosystem.  

Our vision is to foster a robust innovation ecosystem and to build a greener, smarter, and more livable and business-friendly environment that enables global innovators to pursue their dreams in Z-Park, develop world-changing technologies and products, and give rise to truly great enterprises. Innovation in Z-Park is characterized by openness and a vibrant open-source culture. We are committed to sharing original technologies and real-world application scenarios with the global community.  

Meanwhile, we actively support international joint research and the global deployment of innovative solutions. Through open cooperation, we hope to share the fruits of scientific and technological progress, empower people’s lives, and help create a better future for all.  

We are excited to join you in Beijing in september for our World Conference. What can delegates expect from your historic city and this year’s event? Are there any sights for which they should set time aside to explore and add to their itineraries?

Z-Park joined the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) in 1988 and successfully hosted the IASP World Conference in 1995, 2005, and 2015. This year, after another decade, the conference is once again returning to Beijing. 

Beijing is a historic and cultural city with over 3,000 years of urban history and more than 870 years as China’s capital. It is also the first city in the world to have hosted both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.  

We believe that participants will be deeply impressed by Beijing’s warmth, hospitality, and openness. With open arms, Beijing and Z-Park welcome all delegates to visit landmarks such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Summer Palace, and to experience firsthand the vibrant atmosphere of innovation and entrepreneurship in Z-Park. Here, ancient heritage and modern vitality come together to create an experience that is both memorable and uniquely compelling.