Capital's tech industrial influence goes global

From high-tech companies to auto manufacturers, Beijing's industrial influence is expanding on both domestic and international levels.

Among the local high-tech powerhouses is Tus-Holdings, a spinoff of Tsinghua University. Founded in 2000, the company targets startups, providing them with incubation and financing services.

Compared with the 1990s, the environment for innovation in China has transformed, said Chen Hongbo, executive vice-president of Tus-Holdings. "Nowadays, companies have a better starting point, with a higher level of technology, rich social resources and more financing opportunities."

Tus-Holdings has established more than 300 innovation centers worldwide and has launched over 100 technology projects in cooperation with 65 colleges around the world.

"High-tech companies are part and parcel of regional economic development," Chen said. "They boost the local economy by promoting the industrialization of technological achievements and bringing new products, business patterns and job opportunities."

The company is engaged across diversified industries, ranging from environmental protection, digital economy and clean energy to new materials.

The Belt and Road Initiative is an opportunity for companies to better develop businesses in overseas markets with the vision of shared benefits, Chen said.

"We will improve our business patterns to support more high-tech companies and thus aid in China's efforts in building itself into an innovation powerhouse," he said.

Foton Motor Group is a Beijing-based commercial vehicle manufacturer founded in 1996. Its product portfolio incorporates heavy-duty and light-duty trucks, vans and buses.

The company has fulfilled more than 70 major orders in 34 countries and regions involved in the BRI. It has cooperated in infrastructure construction projects in countries such as Kenya and Pakistan.

With the development of industry 4.0, the manufacturer has also broadened its businesses to incorporate the internet and advanced technologies, including an industrial internet platform monitoring center and self-driving vehicles.

Zhou Zhe, a staff member of the company's internet of vehicles department, said the center is aimed at fulfilling automated monitoring in areas including vehicle production, operation and maintenance.

Caciuc Anatolie, a journalist from Teleradio-Moldova, said during a tour of Foton's facilities that the development of China's automobile industry has been stunning.

"I have been to China several times, but this is my first time visiting a vehicle production workshop and it is also a demonstration of China's rapid development in social economy," he said.

China has provided support for Moldova especially in infrastructure construction, Caciuc said. "Self-driving cars and the industrial internet platform are the best creations and I hope my country can import such high-tech products from China."

You Jing, a Foton employee, said expanding overseas markets is a crucial part of the company's strategy and its diesel engine brand is highly recognized in overseas markets.

liangkaiyan@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 04/27/2019 page11)