Xiong'an emerging as high-tech sectoral hub

Xiong'an New Area in Hebei province is gaining momentum as a rising hub for aerospace information and satellite internet, with expanding industrial clusters, growing enterprise chains and its first locally built satellite signaling faster development of high-end innovative industries.

The area's progress featured prominently during the recent annual two sessions of Hebei's provincial legislature and political advisory body, where delegates reviewed achievements and mapped out plans for the future city near Beijing.

In his government work report delivered on Monday, Governor Wang Zhengpu said innovative industries such as aerospace information and satellite internet are "gaining momentum through clustering", adding that Xiong'an will cultivate and expand its innovation-driven sectors during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30).

The goal is to build the area into a key cradle for national self-reliance and original innovation, while creating a model for high-quality development.

To date, over 200 key enterprises have gathered in three prioritized chains — aerospace information and satellite internet, new materials, and artificial intelligence, according to Wang Yanwei, director of Xiong'an Reform and Development Bureau.

Among accelerating industrial clusters, the aerospace information and satellite internet cluster has grown rapidly since the full relocation and operation of the headquarters of the China Satellite Network Group. It has triggered a powerful "head goose effect", Wang Yanwei said.

Driven by this anchor firm, over 60 upstream and downstream companies have settled in Xiong'an, forming what he described as "four major systems" covering supply chain, satellite manufacturing, large-scale application, and standard-setting services.

A landmark achievement was the production last year of the first "Made in Xiong'an" satellite, named Xiong'an-1.

"This marks the emergence of a clear outline for Xiong'an's aerospace information industry and a visible innovative main chain," said Shi Yonggui, a provincial lawmaker and president of Zhengding Advanced Normal College of Hebei.

He also said that creating application scenarios for the industry would help guide its high-quality development.

Yu Guoyi, a provincial political adviser and deputy director of the Xiong'an management committee, highlighted the role of open innovation.

He said the event, themed around the convergence of future city scenarios, held over the past two years, is a vital platform for attracting and nurturing tech firms.

The event has successfully attracted 51 companies to set up operations in the area.

The upcoming third session will further open application scenarios across the city, enhancing matchmaking between enterprises and real-world needs in areas like aerospace information, AI and digital governance, Yu said.

These industrial efforts are supported by a concerted drive to build a comprehensive innovation ecosystem.

Xiong'an is actively establishing high-level research platforms, including a national key laboratory of aerospace flight technology, and creating a multilayered carrier system featuring professional parks, themed office buildings, and incubators, Wang Yanwei added.

zhangyu1@chinadaily.com.cn