International experts embark on Xi'an research tour

On May 26, experts from 10 nations - Bangladesh, Canada, Egypt, Ethiopia, Italy, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Pakistan, Tunisia, and the UK - gathered in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, to study the city's quality and efficiency of the development of new quality productive forces.

The first stop of this research tour was the Xi'an Beilin Uni-Clustered Key & Core Technology Innovation District, where international experts studied leading technology enterprises to understand China's development model through Xi'an's innovation achievements.

As Xi'an's central urban district, Beilin boasts exceptional scientific and educational resources coupled with robust technological innovation capabilities, creating what has been aptly termed Xi'an's "industrial park without walls".

In 2024, the technology contract turnover in the district was 49.7 billion yuan ($6.9 billion). Among its key innovation hubs, the Xi'an Beilin Uni-Clustered Key & Core Technology Innovation District stands out as one of China's first national-level innovation pilot zones. The district is home to 17 national-level incubators, mass entrepreneurship and innovation (ME&I) hubs, and cultural-technology integration demonstration parks, along with 586 high-tech enterprises.

From the permanent venue of the Global Key & Core Technology Conference to a key hub for the new energy vehicle industry, from establishing itself as an inland highland of reform and opening-up to building an international cultural exchange hub, Xi'an has in recent years ignited an innovation-driven engine for high-quality development. Its GDP has consistently surpassed the trillion-yuan mark, carving out a distinct "Xi'an Coordinate" on the national strategic map while steadily growing its global influence.

Wang Hui, deputy director of the Propaganda Department of the Xi'an Municipal Party Committee, emphasized that Xi'an leverages its triple strengths in key & core technology, rich culture, and strategic connectivity to engage globally and shape the future.

"By inviting international experts to witness Xi'an's achievements in technological innovation and industrial transformation, we create opportunities for cross-cultural dialogue to better understand Xi'an's distinctive approach to Chinese modernization," Wang stated.

As the historic starting point of the ancient Silk Road and a pivotal hub city in the Belt and Road Initiative, Xi'an carries both the illustrious legacy of Chinese civilization and the contemporary mission of fostering deeper global cooperation.

The inaugural session of the event ran from May 26 to 28, during which foreign experts toured multiple locations across Xi'an including Beilin, Yanta, and Weiyang districts, as well as Jinghe New City. Their itinerary included a visit to the Xi'an Branch of Industrial Bank Co Ltd, where they observed innovative best practices, explored opportunities for expanded cooperation, and experienced the city's renowned hospitality and thoughtful services.