Science Parks and High-Tech Zones

Science parks were envisioned as an economic development institution from their inception, designed to provide employment that is particularly geared toward a highly educated labor force. Funds generally come from government sources at the early stage. The intention of science park development is to jump-start businesses that could benefit from research generated by a nearby university or research institution. This chapter reviews the development of science parks and high-technology zones in China with a focus on their impact on regional and national innovation. Discussion includes the industrial and technological focus of such zones, the relevance of specialization, and issues of effective implementation.