A report on the development of the gazelle enterprises in the national high-tech zones was jointly released by China's Torch High Technology Industry Development Center and GreatWall Strategy Consultants on Nov 3.

As introduced, a "gazelle enterprise" refers to an enterprise that has overcome a depressing time and entered a fast-growing period. These enterprises showcase features such as fast growth, strong creative ability and great potential.

According to the report, the number of gazelle enterprises in national high-tech zones has seen a big increase, making great contributions to its economic development.

Seen as a new engine of innovation, gazelle enterprises reached a total number of 2,576 in 2016, a year-on-year increase of around 23 percent. Statistics show that 2.75 percent of national high-tech zone's enterprises are gazelle enterprises. Some 28 percent of high-tech zone based enterprises' operating income are from gazelle enterprises, proving that gazelle enterprises have become an important force in fostering high-tech zone's economic development.

In addition, the technical service gross export of gazelle enterprises in 2016 saw a year-on-year increase of 74.8 percent. Patent applications by gazelle enterprises also made a dramatic increase in the same year.

Among China's 132 national high-tech zones, Zhongguancun owns the largest number of gazelle enterprises with 650.

Through innovation in technology, service and business model, gazelle enterprises have become the new engine of national high-tech zones' development.