Shandong firms gain global influence through innovation

World
Europe

02:06

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit has not just brought the host city of Qingdao into the global spotlight, but also the advancements being made right across Shandong Province. Indeed, one inland city is drawing a lot of international attention for its innovation development.

Have you not ever got a chance to visit Qingdao? No worries, a virtual reality (VR) tour can bring you right into the heart of China’s sailing city.

The experience is brought to you by Goertek, a hi-tech firm located in Weifang, a prefecture-level city about 160 kilometers north-west of Qingdao.

Goertek, a hi-tech firm located in Weifang City of east China's Shandong Province, has become dominant in the global VR and AR market. /CGTN Photo

Starting out in the loudspeaker business, the company has transformed itself into a global leader of consumer electronics, with giants such as Sony, Microsoft and Google among its clients. From an acoustic component maker to a finished product provider, Goertek is now developing its own brands in Europe.

“We take advantage of the world’s open market, which provide not only the market potential, accessible to the key clients, but also the platform we need to compete with world leading companies. Right now we are very dominant in the VR part, 70 percent of mid-end and high-end VR equipment are made by Goertek,” said Chang Gang, senior vice president of Goertek's marketing department.

This is just one success story from the city’s exciting hi-tech zone, with many businesses simply “innovating” their way onto the global stage.

Another example is a smaller firm called Shengrui. In the past, China’s auto transmission market was dominated by core technologies from overseas. That was until Shengrui began developing the world’s first front-engine, front-drive 8 Automatic Transmission – or the 8AT – just over a decade ago.

Shengrui Transmission, located in Weifang City of east China's Shandong Province, has developed the world’s first front-engine, front-drive 8 Automatic Transmission. /CGTN Photo

In the beginning, the industry had little faith in Shengrui, a private and less well-known firm, however, it rolled out the first 8AT prototype in 2010. Then it took a while to put it into mass production.

"To develop the 8AT series, we have to set up Research & Development centers in China, Germany and the UK. Earlier this year, our products were on display in the Detroit Auto Show. We have also talked with India, and we hope our cooperation can continue in the future," said Wei Yanchao, assistant general manager of Shengrui Transmission.

Shandong Province has a dozen other high-tech zones similar to the one in Weifang, and all are keen to gain greater access to the global market and to promote the spirit of "Created in China" instead of the simplified "Made in China."