The plan, which was launched last year, put forward 22 measures targeting prominent problems restricting commercialization, involving the whole process from basic research, development to industrialization.

An electronic information plus industry development conference, hosted at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China on Sept 29, attracted more than 500 alumni entrepreneurs from 40-plus regions to Chengdu. They have integrated into the city's innovation and entrepreneurship rush via different approaches.

Zhou Jinting, chairman of Shanghai Hefu Holding, said that the company will build an electronic information industry area in Chengdu's Pidu district, which will be able to generate 100 billion yuan in annual output value.

They will first launch an electronic information plus area covering 1.5 square kilometers and an entrepreneurship industry park.

Wang Dongsheng, chairman of BOE Technology Group, said: "Chengdu's forward-looking, global perspective and the cooperation among local governments, companies, universities, research institutes and users will promote innovation and invention."

Wang said he has been to and invested in many cities, and he firmly believes Chengdu is a city of the future, featuring reform and innovation. "BOE has decided to make Chengdu an important center for future development," Wang said. He added the company's three business fields - display and sensing, payment systems, and life sciences and healthcare - are all developing in Chengdu.

"We have already invested 100 billion yuan in Chengdu," Wang said. "We have faith in the city's prospects."

At the conference, the Chengdu government and University of Electronic Science and Technology of China decided to host an annual event on Sept 29, comprising a development summit, forums and investment promotion activities.

Chengdu is home to 56 institutions of higher learning and 84 national-level research and development platforms, including a key national laboratory for polymeric materials and engineering. The city leads in fields such as rail transit, high polymer materials, stem cells and biological materials.

songmengxing@chinadaily.com.cn