Ancient city attracts hundreds of high-tech companies

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Handan, an ancient city located about 400 kilometers south of Beijing, is famous around China for having the same name for more than 3,000 years. The city is now trying to make a name for itself in other ways.

Heavily dependent on its steel industry, until recently, Handan's new policies are now attracting hundreds of high-tech companies. One of them has even helped a famous rice expert achieve a new world record for output.

This chemical company is dubbed "the Silicon Valley of Hebei Province." As its name indicates, it uses the compound organo-silicone to produce everything from oil-drilling equipment and weaponry to fertilizers. Its founder, Song Furu, said their chemical fertilizers even helped Yuan Longping, "father of hybrid rice" set a new world record for output.

"The fertilizer is the fruit of ten years' research. We worked with Yuan Longping to improve his 'super hybrid rice' output to 18.05 tons per hectare, a new world record which was set on October 29 this year," said Song, board chairman of the company.

Song said his fertilizer improves the quality of soil, and reduce the heavy metals in crop products. "While only 30 percent of normal fertilizers are absorbed by plants, ours can achieve 80 percent. We tested it in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Jilin Province, and it enabled white salt land to grow crops. We also helped to solve the problem of over-standard chromium in rice."

The fertilizers are being tested through pilot programs by China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and some universities as a way to address ecological concerns.

Researchers testing soil quality at Hebei Silicon Valley Chemical Company /CGTN Photo

The company helped make its surroundings into an ecological tourism attraction. The founder believes their contribution to Handan is not only in paying taxes but also in helping with both economic development and environmental protection.

Gao Yunfang, deputy director of the city's Science and Technology Bureau, said the city now has nearly 400 high-tech companies, a small percentage among all, but the number is rising fast.

"106 more new high-tech companies have been established this year. We have policies in place to support high-tech companies, making sure they have everything they need," said the official.

Song Furu discusses with a colleague about winter wheat growth and fertilizer effects. /CGTN Photo

Meanwhile, back at "Silicon Valley," Song is hoping his fertilizers can become even more potent and continue to regenerate the country's flagging soil and increase quality output.