Beilin district, Xi'an is home to 17 universities, 131 scientific research institutions, and more than 30,000 scientific researchers. It is one of the areas that possesses the most intensive scientific and technological talents and achievements compared with the city, the province, and even the country.
In 2013, Beilin district and the Xi'an municipal science and technology bureau launched the University-based Innovation Industrial District together with 10 universities, including Xi'an Jiaotong University and Northwestern Polytechnical University (NWPU), to accelerate the commercialization of research findings by coordinating scientific and technological resource reform and the innovation of mechanism models, building an intellectual intensive park without barriers.
Foreigners visit Xi'an Beilin University-based Innovation Industrial District. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
In 2018, the municipal Party committee and government issued the document Suggestions on Developing the Beilin University-based Innovation Industrial District. The industrial district has become the core of the modern service industry comprehensive pilot under the "One Belt, One City" framework, and has been listed in the Xi'an National Economy and Social Development Plan and the Implementation Plan of the Xi’an National Comprehensive Innovation Reform Pilot Zone.
The district now boasts two national-level incubators, 11 national-level maker spaces, two national business incubation demonstration bases, two national culture and technology integration demonstration parks, as well as 28 municipal-level maker spaces.
Promote university-city integration with "University +" to cultivate new driving forces
The existing resources will be put to good use instead of building numerous new facilities. With "three zones, one axis, and multiple parks" as the spatial framework, the three technology service cluster districts for creative design, engineering technology service, and R&D service will be constructed along Youyi Road.
A university-based data smart town will be built on Yanta Road, and the building of the "Northwestern Polytechnical University-based Innovation District," "Cultural Northwest University Chinese Culture Showcase Project," and the "Silicon Valley of Geographic Information" will be further promoted.
A number of innovative and entrepreneurial complexes, such as the innovation center of NWPU, the Xi'an Architecture and Technology Center, and the Xi’an Polytechnic University Fashion Culture and Creative Industry Park will be established. A diverse geographic area that integrates hospitals, parks, campuses, neighborhoods, and communities will be developed.
Gather innovative elements with "University +" to develop new economy
Three resource co-ordination centers, namely the Xi'an Innovation Design Center, the Western China Engineering Design Center, and the Fashion Culture and Creative Center will be built. The Tencent Maker Space, as well as the Microsoft Cloud & Mobile Technology Incubator and academician workstation are also being constructed.
Several national-level institutions, such as the Xi'an Office of the State Intellectual Property Office, the intellectual property operation and trading platform for Chinese universities, and the national intellectual property operation platform, are being established.
Technology achievements are being further transformed and the building of the Beilin Intellectual Property Operation Pilot Zone is being accelerated. The establishment of the Silk Road Innovation Design Industry Alliance, the Xi'an Design Federation, and the Xi'an Center for China Good Design are being initiated. The Xi'an Think Tank for International Urban Experts is also being introduced.
A number of demonstration projects, such as the "Urban Underground Space Engineering Big Data Public Service Platform" by China Railway First Group Co, "Digital curved surface micro drop spraying series equipment" by Shaanxi Hwatec Technology Co., Ltd, and the "China Tourism Commodity R&D Base" by Xi’an Zhaotai Co are being carried out.
As the innovative and entrepreneurial economy rapidly develops, the cluster development of intelligence intensive industries with hard tech and innovative design are being promoted to play a leading role in Xi'an's development.
Optimize the service system with "University +" to explore new models
The special plan for mass entrepreneurship and innovation has been issued, while the plan on introducing and inspiring innovative and entrepreneurial talents is being implemented.
The support policies for developing blockchain have been introduced, and five platforms covering entrepreneurship incubation, technology transfer, investment and financing, exhibition trading, as well as public services are being established.
The district has been approved as a Xi'an Talent Innovation Experimental Base. Several events like the "Europe-Asia Economic Forum—Silk Road International Innovation" have been held. The "space + platform + service" model has been adopted to build an entrepreneurial ecosystem and an optimal business environment to upgrade innovation, service, and industry. A group of technology startups have been incubated.
Eight new R&D institutions, including the Shaanxi Membrane Separation Research Institute and the Static Transportation Research Institute of Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology have been founded. A number of outstanding entrepreneurial projects are being cultivated. Tang Ling, CEO of Xi'an Ziggurat Internet Technologies Co. Ltd, was listed in the 2018 Forbes 30 under 30 Asia List.
In the future, the industrial district will resort to the "University +" model to build a "new carrier," launch "new incubation," implement "new research and development," develop "new economy," strengthen "new community," and establish "new mechanisms" to innovate a new model of science and technology resources reform, building Xi'an into a demonstration zone of the "city of universities," "city of entrepreneurship," and "city of excellence" to further upgrade mass entrepreneurship and innovation.