Workers on the production line at one of the Zhongguancun National Innovation Demonstration Zone's companies. Many high-tech enterprises in the zone mean a great opportunity for people with skills.

Financing

To support all this, Zhongguancun is trying to build itself into a hub of tech-financial innovation.

The science town already has about 1,000 companies that finance technology and venture capital firms, and at least 170 equity investment firms, with funds worth more than 100 billion yuan in all.

The zone is looking for more accounting firms, law firms, and technology and property trading centers, as well as investment and talented personnel.

Finding talented people

Zhongguancun's administration has done a number of things to attract and keep top personnel. For one, they have built a database that contains information on innovative leaders and are improving their credit management system, which is used for international exchanges.

The science park, at the core of the zone, has policies to help talented people with an overseas education get settled, access social security, and find schooling for their children.

And, the park is encouraging company partnerships with universities to create more talented personnel. It has set up post-doctoral research centers and labs and a number of nearby universities are providing courses on how to start a business.

It has also established overseas offices to promote itself and attract more people. Officials visited Europe in May to promote Zhongguancun and look for personnel. They reported that around 150 students in finance, automotive engineering, and IT expressed an interest in Zhongguancun companies.

(China Daily 09/29/2011 page12)