President Prioritizes Frontier Technologies in First Domestic Visit
President Xi Jinping chose Beijing's Yizhuang tech district for his first domestic inspection tour of 2026, visiting a national information technology innovation park that hosted last year's groundbreaking human-robot marathon. The area now hosts over 1,000 companies driving advancements in AI, quantum computing, and 6G communications.
Blueprint for Technological Self-Reliance
During Monday's visit, Xi emphasized that "self-reliance and strength in science and technology" form the cornerstone of China's modernization strategy. The Yizhuang hub exemplifies this vision, having developed complete industrial chains through coordinated public-private research initiatives.
Capital's Innovation Ecosystem Expands
Beijing's R&D spending intensity now ranks among the world's highest, with the city doubling its high-value patents and specialized tech firms since 2020. Yizhuang's growth aligns with broader plans to establish three international innovation centers across key economic regions, following Xi's 2025 inspections in Shanghai and Guangdong.
Strategic Regional Development
The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei cluster joins the Yangtze River Delta and Greater Bay Area in China's national innovation framework. Analysts note this tripartite structure aims to create complementary tech ecosystems while addressing supply chain resilience challenges identified in recent years.
