The Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone is rapidly shaping an innovation ecosystem that integrates fundamental research, technology transfer, and international collaboration, with the goal of building a world-class high-tech hub.

During the 14th Five‑Year Plan period (2021-2025), the zone achieved leapfrog growth. Its GDP rose from 110.13 billion yuan ($16.19 billion) at the end of the 13th Five‑Year Plan (2016-2020) to 152.2 billion yuan. The commercial aerospace sector has gathered over 150 enterprises. Key areas such as the Shuxi Lake, Baiyan Lake, and iFlytek Town are undergoing comprehensive construction, while public amenities continue to improve.

The Deep Space Exploration Laboratory in the Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone. [Photo/WeChat account: hefeigaoxinfabu]

Supported by high-level platforms such as the Hefei National Laboratory and the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, the number of provincial‑level and above R&D institutions in the zone has doubled from the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan period. Specialized industrial parks and innovation carriers provide ample space, and numerous pilot innovation projects from the University of Science and Technology of China have been deployed. Corporate innovation vitality is surging, with a host of tech firms such as HiDream.ai emerging. The company's professional AI filmmaking intelligent model is empowering the cultural and creative industry. The zone now boasts 135 national-level "little giant" enterprises (referring to highly specialized and innovative small and medium-sized firms with cutting-edge technologies and strong growth potential) and 3,700 national high-tech enterprises. The number of valid invention patents in the zone stands at 25,369, an increase of 218.6% from the end of 2020. The total number of high‑level professionals has exceeded 10,000. In the zone, over 240 funds manages more than 270 billion yuan, facilitating all stages of enterprise development.

The innovation ecosystem has been continuously optimized. The zone launched an action plan to build an AI OPC (One-Person Company) entrepreneurship demonstration zone, putting forward 15 detailed measures to foster the development of the "AI + super-individual and one-person company" new business format. In recent years, the Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone has deepened scenario-based innovation, releasing a list of 11 public service scenarios, facilitating 29 cooperation agreements, and bringing more technological achievements from the laboratory into everyday life.

At the 2026 Zhongguancun Forum in late March, Silicon Extreme, an enterprise located in the zone, came together with Moore Threads, a leading domestic GPU company, to launch a platform integrating quantum, supercomputing, AI, and general computing for global users. The platform will serve as an important vehicle for scientific research and educational innovation, playing a significant role in areas such as new material design and drug R&D.

In recent years, the zone has built a complete industrial chain across quantum communication, quantum computing, and quantum measurement fields. It has gathered over 80 quantum technology enterprises and begun to form a full-chain innovation ecosystem covering fundamental research, technology breakthroughs, commercialization, and industrial incubation.

Currently, the zone's strategic emerging industries are continuing to upgrade. The advanced photovoltaic and energy storage industry is approaching a scale of 100 billion yuan, and formed a cluster of over 70 key enterprises including Sungrow Power Supply. The new energy vehicle industry is on track to reach a scale of 100 billion yuan, achieving a full-chain ecosystem covering complete vehicles, components, and aftermarket services. Additionally, the China Speech Valley has exceeded an industrial scale of 170 billion yuan.

The Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone is now accelerating the release of its science and innovation advantages with two future-oriented industries – quantum technology and commercial aerospace – and three leading industries – new energy, AI-driven smart manufacturing, and healthcare. The total number of market entities in the zone has exceeded 110,000, doubling from the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan period.

Looking toward the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), the zone will stay committed to its role as a hub of scientific innovation, a pilot zone for future-oriented industries, and a high-quality urban area.