Yizhuang looks to make big R&D strides

As the integrated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region enters its fifth year, Yizhuang, in southeastern Beijing, is looking to expand these gains to become a national hub for scientific research.

The Beijing Yizhuang Economic-Technological Development Area was set up in 1999 to cash in on the research and development gains of the Zhongguancun region in Beijing. With the city's noncapital functions set to move out in the near future, the zone, spread over an area of 59.6 square kilometers, is looking for further cooperation with its neighboring cities and areas.

According to Shi Yu, deputy director of Yizhuang's development and reform bureau, the zone has already made the first steps in this regard by joining hands with Wuqing county in Tianjin to set up an industrial park.

Such collaboration has helped the zone to better focus on high-tech industries. In 2018, the regional gross domestic product of the zone increased by 10.6 percent year on year to over 150 billion yuan ($22 billion). It also nurtured global innovation through 65 new products and 67 new technologies last year.

"Industries with a low level of efficiency will be relocated from Yizhuang and more high-efficiency companies will take their place," said Shi. New industries include biological sciences, pharmaceutical chemicals and artificial intelligence, he said.

Yang Wenliang, general manager of Yizhuang Investment Holding Company, said an integrated development pattern should be set up for the development of Yizhuang, in line with the expansion of Zhongguancun in Haidian district, where universities and IT companies are clustered.

He pointed out that Zhongguancun could provide support to Yizhuang in areas like talent recruitment and industrial park establishment.

BOE Technology Group is one of the companies that has benefited from being in Yizhuang and enjoyed its favorable policies. The company topped the global rankings for liquid crystal displays for televisions last year by shipping 54.3 million TV panels, up 27 percent year-on-year.

At the same time, Yizhuang is also identifying other opportunities for regional development.

In January, a new development plan for the Yizhuang new town was released. The planned total area of the Yizhuang economic development zone will reach 225 square kilometers. By the end of 2035, the population of this area will reach 870,000.

A new theme park by Universal Studio is also expected to be set up soon. A city-walk road and a themed hotel are also in the pipeline.