Zhuhai National Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone was rated as "excellent" among 212 entries in the 2021 Evaluation Result of China's Mass Entrepreneurship and Innovation Demonstration Bases, receiving praise for the increasing maturation of Zhuhai's innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

The list was jointly released by the National Development and Reform Commission and China Association for Science and Technology on March 4. Approved in December 2020, the Hi-Tech Zone was the only one of its kind in the province to become an "excellent" Lean Innovation Demonstration Base.

Zhuhai National Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone [Photo courtesy WeChat account: zh_gxq]

It implemented five measures last year, namely cultivating high-growth innovative enterprises, training entrepreneurship and innovation talents, establishing political systems in the sector, promoting entrepreneurship services, and creating an atmosphere that encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

In 2021, The zone's enterprises above designated size in the integrated circuits, biomedical and medical devices, as well as smart manufacturing and robotic industries achieved annual output value of 3.83 billion yuan ($601.84 million), 7.02 billion yuan ($1.1 billion), and 14.82 billion yuan ($2.33 billion) respectively, increasing by 45.7 percent, 21.9 percent, and 32 percent year-on-year.

The local loan platform granted 177 credit extensions last year, an increase of 84 percent, with their total value expanding by 159 percent to 1.58 billion yuan ($248.31 million). In addition, the zone is home to 16 incubators with total area of 1,734,000 sq m (428.5 acres), up 33 percent in floorage from the previous year.

One new "single champion," two specialized and special new "little giants," and 12 provincial and 18 municipal specialized and special small and medium-sized enterprises were cultivated in the zone in 2021, creating 5,076 job opportunities and transforming 67 high-quality technologies, exceeding its annual target.

In the future, priority will be given to promoting the entrepreneurship and innovation of university graduates, while an open and inclusive entrepreneurship and innovation environment will be constantly improved, according to an official of the zone.