The Beijing government recently presented the Zhongguancun Science and Technology Park a a huge building to help returned Chinese scholars build their careers in Beijing.

According to Vice-Mayor Yang Anjiang, the establishment of the 21,118-square-metre complex is an important step to making Zhongguancun area into one of the world's first-class science and technology parks.

To attract high-caliber Chinese students from abroad to start their careers in Beijing, the new building will reduce or remit rent for high-tech businesses. They can also enjoy other preferential policies Beijing formulated for high and new technological ventures, the official said.

The building is in fact an extension branch of the Haidian special park for returned Chinese scholars, which is now home to 68 scientists and technicians who had studied or worked abroad.

Returned scholars in the Haidian park have initiated 58 high and technological projects, with their total income from technology, industries and trade expected to reach 100 million yuan (US$12 million) in 1999.

Beijing has also completed 11 "hatchers" of high and new technologies, which had created 2,616 jobs and generated revenues of 610 million yuan (US$73.5 million) by the end of 1998, according to sources with the Beijing New Technology Industries Development Experimental Zone.