High-tech zones are 'driving growth'

China's National High-Tech Industrial Development Zones, the backbone of the country's high-tech industries, have seen stable, positive growth in the first half of this year, officials said on Monday.

The zones - industrial parks for developing industries ranging from biomedicine to electronics - have nurtured around 40 percent of China's high-tech companies, which have also become more innovative and productive in recent years, said Zhang Zhihong, director of the Ministry of Science and Technology's Torch High Technology Industry Development Center.

Government policies have made it easier for companies to invest. One result is that the zones have increased their international competitiveness, as more quality talent pours in, Zhang said, adding that many research institutes and collaborations are being established.