A bird's-eye view of the Smart New City, a hub for advanced digital industries in Quzhou, East China's Zhejiang province [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

The rapid development of the digital economy in Quzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, has helped the city attract many professionals from China and abroad, local media reported on Aug 17.

In recent years, Quzhou has been striving to promote the development of the digital economy and become a magnet for talented people. Official plans for digital industries and supporting policies for talent have recently been implemented in the city.

In November 2018, Quzhou established a research institute known as the Southeast Digital Economic Development Institute to buttress the city's ambitions to develop its digital economy. Since its establishment, the institute has attracted 29 digital economy experts and renowned entrepreneurs, as well as 166 other high-caliber professionals.

Earlier this month, the Quzhou government officially announced the establishment of the Smart New City in the eastern part of Quzhou's downtown area, where 19 new digital economy companies were introduced in the first half of 2020. The area is meant to lead the development of the digital economy and intelligent industries in Quzhou.

Due to the presence of several high-end companies and projects, including the Quzhou branches of Alibaba and NetEase, thousands of innovative professionals involved in high-tech fields have been coming to work in the city.

Hang Xiaoshu, who has a PhD in computer science, said he decided to stay in Quzhou due to its livable environment and suitable climate for startups and innovative work.