The superconducting quantum computer Tianyan‑287, equipped with the same chip used in the record‑breaking Zuchongzhi‑3, has recently been assembled in the Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone. This quantum computing system, comprising 105 data qubits and 182 coupling qubits, processes specific problems 450 million times faster than today's fastest supercomputer. It has now been connected to the Tianyan quantum computing cloud platform and opened for global service. This advancement not only speeds up the practical deployment of quantum computing, but also demonstrates the zone's success in turning scientific and technological breakthroughs into commercial realities during the 14th Five‑Year Plan period (2021-2025).

Innovative institutions, such as the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, are gathered in the Grand Union of Innovation in the Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone. [Photo/WeChat account: hefeigaoxinfabu]

Turning ideas into products with real‑world impact relies on high‑quality platforms. During the 14th Five‑Year Plan period, the Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone focused on deep integration of sci-tech innovation and industry, achieving notable results in platform development. It established national‑level research institutions such as the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, and brought its number of provincial‑level and above R&D institutions to 347. Additionally, 22 new‑type R&D institutions, including the Yangtze River Delta Industrial Chain Supply Chain Security (Hefei) Research Institute, were launched, six of which have been recognized as high‑level new‑type R&D institutions in Anhui province.

Supported by these platforms, industries such as quantum information and artificial intelligence (AI) have accelerated their growth. The zone now hosts over 80 quantum‑related enterprises, covering quantum computing, communication, and measurement, with one of the highest industrial concentrations in the nation. The China Speech Valley has achieved an industrial scale exceeding 170 billion yuan ($24.41 billion), gathering 573 core AI enterprises and 242 enterprises above designated size, which account for more than half of all such enterprises in Hefei. Breakthroughs — such as Zuchongzhi‑3 setting a world record for quantum computational advantage in superconducting systems and Tiandu‑1 achieving the world's first daytime laser ranging between Earth and the Moon — demonstrate the zone's robust innovation capacity.

The growth of sci‑tech innovation enterprises requires precise financial support. The zone has built a style of sci‑tech financial ecosystem akin to the Silicon Valley, with more than 240 registered funds totaling over 270 billion yuan. It has also established a fund management system including direct investment and equity participation with a scale of 62.4 billion yuan, which has cumulatively invested in 998 local projects. This has formed a financial network that supports enterprises throughout their entire lifecycle.

To bridge the gap from laboratory to production line, the zone has developed a multi‑level and targeted incubation system. Through its "1+2+N" initiative encompassing one top‑tier incubator, two specialized platforms, and multiple innovation carriers, it provides end‑to‑end incubation services. Currently, it operates nine sci‑tech business incubators, including an integrated circuit incubator, which has been named one of Anhui's first top‑tier incubators.

From frontier technological breakthroughs to industrial scaling, from platform clustering to financial empowerment, and through full‑chain incubation services, the Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone has successfully bridged the gap from R&D to production. In the future, the zone will continue to take innovation as its core driving force in advancing high‑quality development.