Hangzhou, a city just 175km southwest of Shanghai, has emerged as a hub for tech innovation in China. A local university has played a key role in this transformation, modeling itself on Stanford University and fostering an entrepreneurial spirit. One of the university’s notable innovations is DeepSeek, a breakthrough technology that has captured global attention.
The university’s emphasis on leading-edge research and development has positioned it at the forefront of China’s ambitions to become a global tech powerhouse. China’s universities are quickly adapting to DeepSeek’s success by introducing new courses focused on applications of its AI model. Shenzhen University has partnered with Tencent Cloud to introduce a general AI course, while Zhejiang University has introduced an online course series open to students, faculty, and the general public.
The rapid introduction of AI-related courses in Chinese universities reflects the strong demand for AI from both the market and the public,” said Xu Hui, a researcher at the University of Jena in Germany and a specialist in China’s advanced manufacturing. Over the past two years, Hangzhou has given birth to the “Six Little Dragons”—a group of six influential tech companies.
Hangzhou’s unique innovation atmosphere
This phenomenon has prompted other Chinese provinces and cities to reflect on why such star start-ups did not take root in their regions. The “Six Little Dragons”—Game Science, DeepSeek, Unitree Robotics, DEEP Robotics, BrainCo, and Manycore Tech—significantly influence their respective industries. Their rise underscores Hangzhou’s unique innovation atmosphere, industrial ecosystem, and business environment.
Hangzhou has been used as a model of successful business innovation. Officials from various provinces, including Jiangsu and Guangxi, have openly discussed adopting a similar business environment. For China’s top leadership, Hangzhou’s success represents a valuable model.
Three members of the Chinese Communist Party’s Politburo Standing Committee have extensive work experience in Zhejiang province, where Hangzhou is located. The “Six Little Dragons” success has not only put Hangzhou on the global tech map but also serves as a blueprint for other regions striving for similar achievements. As other cities look to replicate Hangzhou’s innovation-driven environment, the rise of these tech upstarts marks a significant chapter in China’s ongoing technological advancement.
Image Credits: Photo by Lan Lin on Unsplash
