Haidian is a district of Beijing, located in the capital city’s northwest. As such, it probably figures larger than most cities in China. For investors, it has an appeal that only a good combination of a long string of factors can provide.

Haidian is home to some three million people, who make up the best educated population in China and beyond. This population provides an abundant pool of human resources that is ideal for businesses in search of managerial, professional and technological talents. Most people living or working in Haidian come from other parts of the country or the world, bringing with them perspectives, ambitions and contacts that are very useful in a dynamic business.

Haidian has the largest concentration of universities and research institutions anywhere. Among these are Peking University, Tsinghua University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. These educational and research entities not only produce talents that businesses can hire but also make ideal partners in research and development projects.

Haidian’s economy enjoys a growth rate that is the envy of many. Over the last five years, the economy in Haidian on average has been growing at the rate of 21.5 per cent a year. Such growths are expected to continue for the foreseeable future. Investors who want a firm footing in the future should be positioned in such a fast-growing economy.

The economy in Haidian is driven by promising high-tech industries, such as electronics, photo-electronics, medicines and new materials. In these industries, Haidian has fostered many of China’s leading companies, including the Lenovo Group which acquired the PC division of IBM in 2004. Many of the world’s top 500 companies, including Intel, Microsoft, Motorola, Sun, AMD and Hitachi, all engaged in high-tech industries, have established a presence in Haidian.

Haidian hosts the Haidian Science Park, which is the most important sub-park of Zhongguancun Science Park and often known as China’s Silicon Valley. In this silicon valley, a solid supply chain has emerged, that can readily provide parts and materials that are needed for research and production by most businesses in high-tech industries. This chain of supply saves both time and money for those businesses who wish to produce locally here in Haidian.

Haidian is itself a sizable consumer market. Residents here are generally better off than those in most other places. One measure of their affluence is that even though the population of Haidian accounted for less than a quarter of a percentage point of the national total, about 2.5 per cent of the income taxes collected in China in 2004 came from Haidian. At the heart of Haidian now stands the world’s largest shopping mall under one roof.

There is also Haidian’s historical appeal. Found in Haidian are some of the most memorable sights that visitors can hope to enjoy while in China. These include the Summer Palace, built in the Qing Dynasty, and a host of Buddhist temples built hundreds and sometimes well over one thousand years ago. If the past ever meets the future, it does so in Haidian.