Hefei high-tech zone strives to boost future industries

The Hefei National High-Tech Industry Development Zone is strategically positioning itself as a leader of future-oriented industries with an incubation system focusing on key sectors including quantum technology, aerospace, next-generation artificial intelligence, future energy, and synthetic biology, driving the development of new quality productive forces.

In March, the zone's Deep Space Exploration Laboratory successfully launched its first batch of satellites, Tiandu-1 and Tiandu-2, into deep space. These missions were crucial for testing technologies that would enable the Earth-moon communications services supported by Queqiao satellites.

The zone has also made significant strides in the layout of the aerospace industry, with successful launches such as the HISEA-1 and Tiandu satellites. It has attracted major players like Haitian Silk Road, Zhongke Satellite, and Guodian Gaoke, positioning itself as a hub for aerospace innovation.

The zone has pooled over 120 enterprises operating along the aerospace industry chain, working on more than 50 key projects with investments exceeding 40 billion yuan ($5.5 billion). This has helped the zone to establish a comprehensive industry layout encompassing satellite and rocket manufacturing, communications, navigation, and remote sensing.

As early as 15 years ago, the zone proactively laid out its plan to develop the quantum industry. Today, the zone is home to over 60 quantum enterprises, including 30 core companies which account for one-third of this kind nationwide. Notably, QuantumCTek, Origin Quantum, CIQTEK, and China Telecom Quantum Group are headquartered in the area. Known as "Quantum Avenue," the zone's Yunfei Road hosts a growing cluster of quantum technology companies.

According to the latest Global Future Industry Index, Hefei ranks second globally and first in China in quantum information. Looking ahead, the zone plans to accelerate the construction of the industrial park for quantum information, aiming to become a global leader in both quantum research and the quantum industry.

In terms of its innovation ecosystem, the zone has developed a high-growth incubation system that supports businesses at various stages, from early-stage startups to technology leaders. The zone boasts 34 incubators that take up an area of over 6 million square meters, including Speech Valley of China and Zhong'an Chuanggu, which collectively support nearly 10,000 technology startups. These initiatives rank among the top in China for fostering innovation.

As the core area of Hefei's comprehensive national science center, and home to national laboratories, the zone is committed to becoming a global leader in future-oriented industries such as the metaverse, next-generation artificial intelligence, and controlled nuclear fusion.