What Is Hefei?
a city that gradually found its direction through its own efforts
not as renowned as Anqing or ancient Huizhou in Anhui Province
not as prominent as Anqing or Wuhu along the Yangtze River
or Bengbu along the Huai River
a debate over who it should belong to has persisted for years
(Geographical location of Hefei, map by Zheng Yi/Planet Research Institute)
when Hefei, burdened with controversy, developed quietly
during the 15 years from 2005 to 2020
Hefei achieved a leap in GDP from 100 billion to one trillion
and continued to rise at an average pace of surpassing 3-4 cities annually
(Changes in Hefei's GDP ranking from 2005 to 2020, map by Zheng Borong/Planet Research Institute)
it is also one of the four major comprehensive national science centers
standing alongside Beijing, Shanghai, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area
(Please view horizontally, Hefei cityscape, with Dongpu Reservoir in the foreground, image from @VCG)
it must start with Hefei's geographical disadvantages
forcing Hefei to explore new development directions
thus forging a path of building and revitalizing the city through technology
a story from obscurity to prosperity
(Geographical location and terrain map of Hefei, map by Zheng Yi/Planet Research Institute)
(Hefei Gushan Park, photographer @ Li Qiong)
The average annual precipitation can reach 1000mm
Flowing into the Yangtze River and Huai River systems respectively
(Hefei Water System Map, mapped by Zheng Yi/Planet Research Institute)
Chaohu Lake formed by water accumulation in low-lying areas
Covering a vast area of 787.4 km²
(Please view horizontally, Chaohu Lake, photographer Chen Jianfeng)
Did not bring much natural advantage to Hefei
If encountering a "plum rain absence" year, widespread famine would occur
(October 2019, dried and cracked ponds in Hefei, image source @VCG)
Particularly severe in the Nanfei River and Chaohu Lake depression zone
(July 2020, Hefei hit by floods, Zhongmiao Scenic Area pedestrian street submerged by lake water, image source @VCG)
A total of 329 droughts and floods occurred
Almost once every two years
(Statistics of drought and flood frequency in Chaohu Basin over the past 600 years, mapped by Zheng Borong & Zheng Yi/Planet Research Institute)
Located at the intersection of multiple geographical units
Leading to constant historical warfare
To the Battle of Hefei between Wu and Wei during the Three Kingdoms period
And the prolonged tug-of-war during the Jin Dynasties
(In 215 AD, Sun Quan and Cao Cao clashed at Xiaoyaojin to contest Hefei; pictured is Xiaoyaojin Park, photographer Li Qiong)
To the Jin and Yuan invasions, with Luzhou repeatedly besieged
(Hefei was historically known as Luzhou, with the dark-colored ring in the image marking the site of the ancient moat; photographer: Wu Yidan)
The fierce contention between the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and the Huai Army
To the artillery bombardments during the Anti-Japanese War and the Liberation War
(In 1949, Su Yu, Deng Xiaoping, Liu Bocheng, Chen Yi, and Tan Zhenlin—the five members of the General Front Committee—commanded the Yangtze River Crossing Campaign from Yaogang, Hefei; pictured is the Yangtze River Crossing Campaign Memorial Hall; photographer: Zhang Wenjun)
It was merely a "small county town"
With an urban population of just over 50,000
(The following is a folk song describing Hefei at the time, quoted from "General History of Hefei")
"One road, three streetlights, one loudspeaker heard by the whole city
A tiny river flows through the town, with only a two-story building standing around"
Hefei's central location made it convenient for connecting the entire province
(In 1958, when Mao Zedong inspected Anhui, the provincial committee was still debating whether to relocate the capital; pictured is Mao's letter to Zeng Xisheng, then Anhui Provincial Party Secretary; graphic designer: Zheng Borong/Planet Research Institute)
When the leading responsibility as the provincial capital fell upon it
Hefei decided to transform from the very beginning of its tenure as the capital
Starting to build factories and develop industry
Seeking external support was undoubtedly the best choice
Utilizing Shanghai's technology and funds to establish
The Anhui Huai River Commission Model Factory and Anhui No. 1 Cotton Mill
Exemplified Hefei's proactive approach to introducing external resources
(Pictured is a scene of textile workers at Anhui Cotton Mill in 1979; image source: @Visual China)
Riding the wave of the national call for coastal enterprises to relocate inland
Riding the momentum of the First Five-Year Plan
Hefei seized the opportunity to introduce 56 factories and enterprises from Shanghai
Talent, technology, equipment, and capital
Production management experience and sales networks
In knitting, printing and dyeing, electromechanics, daily chemicals, and other
Over 20 industrial production categories that were previously空白
(List of Shanghai enterprises relocated to Hefei; after moving, all became joint public-private enterprises, chart by Zheng Borong/Planet Research Institute)
Radio Factory No. 1, Broadcasting Equipment Factory
Bicycle Factory, Mold Factory, Instrument Factory, Bearing Factory
Precision Casting Factory, Transformer Factory, and other enterprises
Later, these became the backbone enterprises of Hefei
The earliest industrial development foundation of Hefei
(Anhui Huaiwei Model Factory, later renamed Hefei Radio Factory No. 2, which also assisted in establishing Radio Factory No. 1, Precision Casting Factory, etc. The photo shows a recreated scene of Hefei Radio Factory at Hefei Chai 1972 Cultural and Creative Park, photographer: Zhang Wenjun)
With the relocation and construction of numerous enterprises
Three industrial zones gradually formed in the eastern, northern, and southwestern suburbs
This "three-wing expansion with green wedges" layout
Was later hailed as the "Hefei Model" in urban planning
(Illustration of Hefei’s "fan-shaped" urban layout, which continued to influence later urban planning, chart by Zheng Yi/Planet Research Institute)
Public transportation, urban water supply, drainage, flood control, and other
Public utilities were built from scratch
Urban greening, street lighting, and other facilities have increased year by year.
(The expanded Baohe Park during the First Five-Year Plan period was originally built to commemorate Hefei's famous official Bao Zheng. Photographer: Li Xiaodong)
Including the Jianghuai Grand Theater and the main building of Anhui Provincial Library.
(The Jianghuai Grand Theater was a landmark building in Hefei in the late 1950s. Photographer: Zhang Wenjun)
Guangming Cinema and the Sino-Soviet Friendship Hall.
(The old building of Anhui Provincial Museum. Photographer: Shi Xiaolong)
The turbulent waves of the "Great Leap Forward" and the "Cultural Revolution."
Although Hefei still invested heavily in constructing
Hefei Steel Plant, Hefei Aluminum Plant, Hefei Hoisting and Transport Machinery Plant,
Jianghuai Automobile Assembly Plant, Hefei Automobile Manufacturing Plant, and other heavy industrial enterprises,
Urban construction as a whole remained unstable.
(The old factory buildings of Hefei Steel Plant and the surrounding wasteland. Photographer: Ge Aojun)
A spark that later fueled Hefei's vigorous development.
Against the backdrop of the "Cultural Revolution" and the Sino-Soviet split,
The University of Science and Technology of China, located in Beijing,
While Hefei itself was also struggling,
Opened its doors to a university representing the future of Chinese science and technology.
(The photo shows the old north gate of USTC. In 1970, USTC relocated to Hefei, and faculty and students entered through this gate. It is now preserved inside the campus as a special memory. Image source: @VCG)
With the convening of the first National Science Conference,
China's first microcomputer.
Won the National "Major Achievement Award"
(China's first microcomputer, the DJS-050, was jointly designed and trial-produced by Anhui Radio Factory, the 6th Institute of the Ministry of Electronics, and Tsinghua University. Photographer: Zhang Wenjun, Graphics: Zheng Borong/Planet Institute)
USTC was reinstated as a national key university
Greatly inspired the young students at the time
(USTC Guo Moruo Square, Photographer: Duan Yicheng)
The Chinese Academy of Sciences established the Hefei Branch
Including the Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Institute of Plasma Physics
Institute of Intelligent Machines, Institute of Solid State Physics
Hefei became the third major scientific hub after Beijing and Shanghai
(The CAS Hefei Branch is located on a small island northwest of Dongpu Reservoir, later named "Science Island." In 2003, the CAS Hefei Branch and its four institutes merged to form the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, CAS; Image source: Visual China)
The 16th, 38th, and 43rd Institutes
Further strengthened Hefei's scientific and technological capabilities
(The Ministry of Electronics Industry has been dissolved. The 38th Institute is now the 38th Research Institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation, Photographer: Zhang Wenjun)
Including China's first national-level laboratory
USTC National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory
China's first nuclear fusion research device
The large superconducting tokamak device "Hefei Super Ring"
National-level laboratories and major national scientific facilities
(USTC National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory (NSRL), whose synchrotron radiation facility is also known as the "Hefei Light Source," Photographer: Duan Yicheng)
Hefei also made significant progress in manufacturing
(Anhui Heli Forklift, formerly known as Hefei Lifting and Transport Machinery Factory, was established in 1958. The photo shows workers assembling the bridge of a large-tonnage forklift. Image source: @VCG)
Export volume has ranked first for over a decade.
Its independently produced HF640 bus chassis
Ended China's history of being unable to manufacture bus chassis.
(Jianghuai Automobile factory area, photographer: @Zhang Wenjun)
In the 1980s-1990s
TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners (initially tape recorders)
Hefei also made breakthroughs in the home appliance industry.
Well-known Chinese home appliance brands emerged one after another.
(Leading technologies of Hefei's home appliance enterprises in the late 20th century, photographer: @Zhang Wenjun, graphics: @Zheng Borong/Planet Research Institute)
After entering the 1990s
Hefei began a wave of development zone construction.
National High-Tech Industrial Development Zone
Economic and Technological Development Zone, New Station High-Tech Industrial Development Zone
(Please view horizontally, Hefei Economic and Technological Development Zone, image source: @VCG)
Research institutions and domestic and foreign large and medium-sized enterprises settled in.
Fields such as biopharmaceuticals and high-tech agriculture
(Hefei Hitachi Construction Machinery production line, image source: @VCG)
Not only enhanced Hefei's economic strength
But also promoted Hefei's urban construction.
Hefei successively completed the "First Ring Road" and expanded the "Second Ring Road"
Hefei's ring roads and main arterial roads were gradually constructed
forming an urban road framework of "Two Rings and Nine Radiating Roads"
(Wuliqiao Overpass, completed in 1995, was a key project in Hefei's First Ring Road construction, photographer: Xunhuan)
and was selected as a "National Garden City"
(Please view horizontally, Xinghua Park in Luyang District, image source: @VCG)
By the late 20th and early 21st centuries
Hefei's technology, industry, and urban construction
but because its foundation was too weak
Hefei's GDP not only lagged far behind coastal cities
but also ranked last among the capital cities of the six central provinces
nationally, it was considered a third- or fourth-tier city
with a weak industrial base and lack of supporting industries
(Comparison of GDP among central provincial capitals in the early 21st century, using 2005 as an example, chart by Zheng Borong & Zheng Yi/Planet Research Institute)
Hefei's scientific research and industry were not well integrated
research institutions such as USTC and CAS
were either "left on the shelf" or "moved elsewhere"
rarely being directly applied in Hefei
(The modest north gate of USTC's West Campus, photographer: Duan Yicheng)
"First-class research, second-class city"
(The following is quoted from Xia Zizhao's "The Evolution Trajectory of Hefei Innovation 4.0")
"USTC is in the sky, we are on the ground, and the air is in between"
The key lies in integrating technology with industry
Building on existing industrial and technological strengths
Focusing on home appliances, automobiles, and equipment manufacturing
As well as high-tech industries like new materials, electronic information, and biopharmaceuticals
After attracting over a dozen home appliance brands such as Midea, Gree, Haier
TCL, and Chipsemiconductor
Hefei, already a major home appliance production base in China
Recognized that the lack of "chips and screens" was then
A critical weakness for China's integrated circuit and high-end display industries
(TCL factory in Hefei; "lack of chips and screens" refers to China's reliance on imported LCD panels and chips at the time, photographer: Zhang Wenjun)
Led what was then Anhui's largest-ever
Single industrial project with a total investment of 17.5 billion yuan
Mainland China's first independently built high-generation LCD panel production line
The BOE 6th-generation LCD panel project
Ended China's dependence on imported large-size LCD panels
(BOE factory in Hefei, photographer: Zhang Wenjun)
And accelerated the clustering of upstream and downstream enterprises in the display industry
Such as substrate glass, polarizers, and modules
Hefei has established a complete industrial chain layout "from sand to finished products."
(The world's first highest-generation production line—BOE Hefei's 10.5th-generation TFT-LCD production line was put into operation ahead of schedule, image source @VCG)
It took over the baton of developing high-tech industries.
Led the establishment of one of only two domestic
DRAM memory chip manufacturers, ChangXin
Later broke the long-term monopoly of foreign manufacturers like Kingston and Samsung
in China's memory industry.
(Chips produced by Hefei ChangXin, photographer @Jun Zuoren, graphics @Zheng Borong/Planet Research Institute)
Hefei's integrated circuit enterprises grew to 280.
And developed into one of the few cities in China with
a complete integrated circuit industrial chain, covering equipment materials, chip design, wafer manufacturing, packaging, and testing.
(On February 24, 2021, the chip R&D laboratory of CETC 38th Institute in Hefei released the 77GHz millimeter-wave automotive chip and module, image source @VCG, graphics @Zheng Borong/Planet Research Institute)
It also initiated rapid breakthroughs in the new energy vehicle industry.
(NIO factory, photographer @Liang Junjie)
Due to the success of this series of investment and business projects,
Hefei has also vigorously incubated its own high-tech industries.
Relying on USTC and the Chinese Academy of Sciences,
With leading enterprise iFLYTEK at its core,
It became the first in China focused on the field of intelligent speech and artificial intelligence.
全国首家定位于智能语音和人工智能领域的
"China Sound Valley" has attracted over 1,000 enterprises
(China Sound Valley, located in Hefei High-Tech Zone, photographer: Zhang Wenjun)
Following the large superconducting tokamak device "Hefei Super Ring"
The nuclear fusion experimental device "Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST)"
Has significantly enhanced China's nuclear fusion research capabilities
(The EAST, a large non-circular cross-section fully superconducting tokamak nuclear fusion experimental device at the Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, also known as China's "artificial sun," successfully achieved repeatable plasma operation at 120 million degrees Celsius for 101 seconds and 160 million degrees Celsius for 20 seconds on May 28, 2021, setting a new world record. Image source: @VCG)
Becoming the second comprehensive national science center after Shanghai Zhangjiang
(On October 1, 2017, visitors viewed the model of Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center at the "Five Years of Striving Progress" exhibition in Beijing Exhibition Center. Image source: @VCG)
Making China the fifth country after the U.S., France, the Netherlands, and Japan
To possess a steady-state high magnetic field facility
(The Steady High Magnetic Field Facility, a major national science and technology infrastructure, photographer: Yang Changju)
Hefei has also become a hub for China's major scientific facilities
Achieving breakthroughs in quantum communication, quantum computing, and other fields
The "Jiuzhang" and "Zuchongzhi" quantum computers
Have even surpassed their European and American counterparts
(Quantum Information and Quantum Technology Innovation Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei High-Tech Zone. Image source: @Longhu Guangnian)
Leading to leapfrog development of the city
The built-up area now exceeds 500 km²
100 times larger than in 1949
With new railways, waterways, and air routes
Strengthening Hefei's Connections with the World
(On May 30, 2013, Hefei Xinqiao Airport officially opened, while the former Luogang Airport was permanently closed. Photo by Xi Jin.)
From the launch of China's first pure electric bus route
To prioritizing the development of public transportation
(Hefei Metro Line Planning Diagram. Map by Yi Zheng/Planet Research Institute.)
(Please view horizontally. Hefei Administrative District. Image source: @VCG.)
(Hefei High-Tech Industrial Development Zone. Photo by Yue Wu.)
Boasting high-tech industrial clusters such as intelligent voice,
Electronic information, intelligent manufacturing,
Public safety, new energy, biomedicine, and more,
The Hefei High-Tech Industrial Development Zone
Ranks among the top 10 out of 169 national high-tech zones in China
(2020 National High-Tech Zone Overall Rankings, listing only the top 20. Map by Borong Zheng/Planet Research Institute.)
Second only to Shanghai Zhangjiang and Beijing Zhongguancun,
It can be called a new pole leading Hefei's development.
(USTC Advanced Research Institute in Hefei High-Tech Zone. Photo by Wenjun Zhang.)
It is set to be built into a "Silicon Valley"-level hub.
Undoubtedly, the High-Tech Zone has become
A "super engine" driving Hefei's high-quality economic growth.
Thirty years of high-tech brilliance, prosperity achieved.
Creating a 960,000 m² TOD urban community
Building the next-generation city-level commercial hub in Hefei High-Tech Zone
(Location map of Longfor Guangnian project, illustration by Zheng Yi/Planet Research Institute)
Adopting the internationally leading TOD model
Connecting skyline headquarters, flagship Tiandi, and themed blocks
Smart GuanYu apartments, high-end hotels, and quality residences
(Longfor Guangnian, please swipe left/right to view)
And integrating with surrounding municipal and rail transit systems
It will not only become a new urban landmark
But also complete Hefei High-Tech Zone's commercial puzzle like a superchip
(Longfor Guangnian · Project rendering)
Hefei has transformed from a former "small county town"
Into a rising star
(Anhui Radio and Television Center, image from @VCG)
Behind this lies the efforts of generations of tech professionals and urban builders
And an intangible "tech long-termism"
Writing a unique history of tech-driven city-making
(Please view horizontally, University Town Emerald Lake, photographer @Zhang Wenjun)