The Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone continues to add urban functions, improve the ecological environment, and upgrade public services. Meanwhile, the zone is also putting more focus on sci-tech industries, and positioning itself as a source of scientific innovation, a pilot zone for future industries, and a high-quality urban area. Centered on the deep integration of people, city, and industry, it is building a livable, workable, resilient, and smart high-quality urban area that provides a welcoming environment for talent and enterprises.

Nicky (L), a foreign resident in Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone, and his family take a photo with a community worker. [Photo/WeChat account: hefeigaoxinfabu]

To meet the needs of international talent, the zone has created a specialized service ecosystem to help overseas professionals settle and thrive. This year, it introduced Chinese-English signage and handbooks, assigned bilingual community workers, established dedicated foreign-affairs service desks, and offered one-stop services encompassing government affairs, daily life consultation, healthcare, legal advice, and housekeeping. Networking salons for entrepreneurs and international talent are also held regularly to promote cross-cultural exchange and cooperation. 

Recently, the zone launched a dedicated service desk for overseas talent, integrating 13 personal and business support services including work permit and visa processing, talent classification, talent code applications, and policy consultation, providing multilingual services and cross-border living support for Chinese returnees and foreign nationals.

The zone has also achieved notable results on greening and landscape development efforts. It added and renovated 700,800 square meters of green space and built eight parks, making steady progress toward its goal of providing every resident with a green space within 300 meters and a park within 500 meters. 

An innovative "park+" concept has also taken root. Shuxi Lake Park integrates sci-tech elements and smart applications, introducing autonomous shuttle services. Visitors can scan a code to ride along the 4-kilometer lakeside loop, experiencing smart park services that seamlessly blend technology and ecology. Baiyan Lake Park also has a plan to add commercial facilities to create a new urban landmark combining leisure and consumption, adding practical value to ecological spaces.

Urban living services continue to improve, meeting diverse needs. The newly built center for women and children in Baiyan community offers specialized nursing rooms, children's play areas, and regular activities such as parent-child reading and family education guidance, providing warm interactive spaces for families. In healthcare, the zone has collaborated with multiple institutions to launch an AI community health platform, which uses AI and large-model technologies to offer health assessments and traditional Chinese medicine wellness services, building a public service system that covers the entire life cycle.

Currently, the Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone is both a source of technological innovation and a livable city ensuring people's wellbeing. With comprehensive facilities, high-quality services, and a beautiful environment, the zone has made advancement in both industrial development and quality of life, becoming a model that attracts global talent and enterprises.