As Oxford professors bring projects and Zhejiang University scholars establish research institutes, Hangzhou Airport Economic Demonstration Zone in Xiaoshan district is emerging as a powerful talent hub through the thorough integration of aviation, industry, city development, and people.
Over the past three years of capacity upgrading, the zone has attracted high-level academic and innovation resources by aligning strong manufacturing foundations with open, globally connected platforms.
At Zhejiang University, Professor Fang Xingdong, executive vice-dean of the College of Media and International Culture, is leading the establishment of an airport intelligent media research institute. Fang sees the zone as both a testing ground for research results and a reservoir for future industries, where interdisciplinary innovation can be rapidly translated into real-world applications.
Internationally, the zone's role as a gateway into Hangzhou has drawn global attention. In March 2024, Fu Xiaolan, a tenured professor at the University of Oxford, relocated her startup Oxford Intelligent to the area, bringing with it 400 million yuan ($57 million) in investment. She views the zone as a hub for allocating global innovation factors, supported by overlapping platforms such as the bonded zone and pilot free trade zone, enabling faster transformation of global research into industrial value.
Talent attraction is reinforced by comprehensive support. The zone offers high-quality talent apartments near industrial parks, efficient transport links to the airport and metro, and a full-service ecosystem covering talent recognition, startup funding, incubation, and acceleration.
As China approaches the next 5-year plan period, Hangzhou's airport zone is set to further explore emerging fields such as the low-altitude economy and digital trade, strengthening its role as a magnet for global talent and innovation.
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