Even though the administrative committee of the Zhongguancun Haidian Science Park (HSP) is actually a government organization, it does not quite act like one, according to the head of a local company - it's more service-oriented.

"I know many other development zones across China," explained Li Xingwen, president of the Thunip Holdings Co Ltd, "and the service provided by HSP is among the best, both in quality and efficiency. It's not quite like a government office, because it gives more service than supervision."

The park's management say they have conducted many surveys of local companies to understand their needs and to improve management and services. They have also organized free training programs for executives.

"These small things just show their attitude and how they care about us," said Li

Thunip is a national leader in environmental protection, especially water treatment, which started in 1988. And it has kept a close eye on technological innovations and social responsibility.

"We at Thunip contribute value to society, not empty bubbles," Li, the president, emphasized.

He said they were the unique Chinese company in their sector to develop their own patented technology and equipment for a key part of wastewater filtering, which greatly reduced costs and forced competitors to reduce their prices.

"In this way we're contributing to the nation, although it may not be so visible," he added.

The company says it has also profited from HSP's talent pool, since it is close to many of China's leading universities and research institutes and has preferential policies that can attract talented personnel.

Thunip is cooperating with China's top universities and institutes on a national water treatment project that is worth tens of millions yuan.

It started just over two years ago producing water filtering facilities for use "in every city for every household", and this advanced made-in-China technology and facilities are "the best of their kind anywhere", Li said, with obvious pride.

Meanwhile, Thunip has purchased shares in 30 other companies and is involved in more than 1,000 projects nationwide. It also serves as a consultant for more than 4,000 projects in environmental impact assessment, most of them for governments.

Li said his company plans to focus more on technology improvements instead of expansion, in the near future, but will "make a great leap in three to five year".

He also has plans to let the company go public when it's ready - and not just ready to collect money, but ready to serve society.

(China Daily 09/15/2011 page19)