We continue our series on China's high-tech zones. Since its establishment in 1991, the Xi'an Hi-tech Industries Development Zone has transformed itself into the most modernized area in the capital of Shaanxi Province. Our reporter Liu Yang spoke to entrepreneurs and experts on how the hi-tech zone plays a vital role in local companies' development.

In 24 hours, this production line will produce 1,000 new energy vehicles for the Chinese consumer. Here at China's largest electric carmaker- BYD's most significant and advanced production base in the Xi'an Hi-tech Industries Development Zone, the factory has fully automated production facilities and cutting-edge technologies to make manufacturing more efficient. The company's GM believes only independent innovation will propel the company forward. It has gained tremendous support from the high-tech zone on development.

LIU ZHENYU, GENERAL MANAGER BYD AUTO CO., XI'AN DISTRICT "The high-tech zone takes a broad and long-term view, supporting our company to develop, especially after 2014, when Chinese President Xi Jinping said the development of new energy vehicles is the way for China to go from a big country to a strong country."

Since settling in the Xi'an Hi-tech Zone in 2003, the vehicle giant has invested over 17 billion yuan and set up businesses in automobiles, IT, and rail transit. Also in the same district, this company is one of the largest in the world in metal 3D printing and a pioneer in analyzing 3D prints. It's also one of the leading providers for a complete solution for additive metal manufacturing in China. Dr. Xue Lei says innovation is the key to the company's success. Its annual investment in R&D has reached over 10 million yuan.

DR. XUE LEI, GENERAL MANAGER XI'AN BRIGHT LASER TECHNOLOGIES "From rewarding research investment and investment in fixed assets, the funds go into the research and development of our project. They paid great attention to innovation and issued appropriate policies to promote innovation. It's a perfect way to support enterprises and the current economic transformation."

Now companies registered in the zone are projected to generate 380 billion US dollars in annual revenue by 2020, with an annual growth of 15 percent. The self-innovation level will be significantly improved.

YANG RENHUA, GENERAL DIRECTOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE OF XI'AN HI-TECH INDUSTRIES DEV'T ZONE "Regarding scientific and technological innovation, we have made full use of Xi'an's hi-tech resources, especially science and education, talents and military technology. We have also tried innovation on institutional mechanisms. In the past two years, we have also made breakthroughs in new materials and new energy resources. We have primarily formed a complete pattern in semiconductors. In the future, we will pay more attention to the improvement of the entrepreneurial environment, so that our environment can attract more high-end global talents."

Research and development investment is projected to account for 6 percent of the zone's overall investment. And about 7,000 new invention patents are expected to be granted in the area by 2020. Liu Yang, CGTN, Shaanxi Province.