In the future, you might not have to take out your phone as the Guangxi-based Mifpay is developing a body posture recognition system. /CGTN Photo
Zhongguancun, known as China's Silicon Valley, is a famous tech hub in Beijing. Now authorities in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region are collaborating with Zhongguancun to set up its own innovation base in its capital city Nanning.
With an area of 18 football pitches, this cluster of retro-style buildings is not a theme park but the new hub for hi-tech enterprises home and abroad. Among the nearly 150 companies here, many are startups from Guangxi. Mifpay is one that has been focusing on the integration of artificial intelligent (AI) into public transportation.
"While many of our talents and technologies are from first-tier cities like Beijing and Shenzhen, Nanning actually gives us more space for development. And we hope AI can help create a better recognition system in public transportation, thus improving the flow of passengers," said Huang Zicheng, CIO of the Nanning-based Mifpay.
Its first-generation product, a Bluetooth chip for mobile payment, is now applied in Nanning's metro stations, with the number of users surpassing one million. But in the future, you probably don't even need to take out your phone as it is developing what's called the body posture recognition system. Just follow the guidance of the screen, wave your hand to register, and you can complete it.
The innovation base has attracted plenty of foreign enterprises. Sumati Amrit has been living in China for over a decade. His company has collaborated with a Guangxi start up to create a smart irrigation system for local farmers.
"We choose Guangxi not only because it's a part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), but it has huge exposure to sugarcane, banana, mango and citrus plantations. So the opportunities here are massive. And the demand is also very big for saving water,” said Amrit, commercial manager at NaanDan Jain Agricultural Science and Technology.
As a latecomer to the hi-tech industry, Guangxi is trying hard to catch up. That's why Nanning Zhongguancun's management team chose to be a firm supporter of these startups.
"We keep track of the companies setting up here from the very first day and follow their growth. And we are also trying to set up programs to introduce more university talent into our companies," said Ma Zhenguo, industrial service director of Nanning Zhongguancun Information Valley.
As Guangxi plays a critical role in the BRI, as well as in the China-ASEAN cooperation, this hub acts as a bridge linking enterprises with the rest of the world.
