Emerging high-tech companies in Shenzhen are enhancing their investments in inland cities on Chinese mainland.

On May 10, ZTE signed a cooperation contract with Qingdao High-tech Industrial Development Zone in Shandong province to establish a research center focusing on the Internet and big data.

It is one of nine projects signed between Shenzhen high-tech companies with the zone, ranging from fintech, intelligent manufacturing, bio-medicine and new material industries.

Yang Jincai, director of Shenzhen's Intelligent Transportation System Association, said Qingdao's land resources are an attraction to Shenzhen's high-tech enterprises.

The zone also promises to provide startups with rent-free offices for three years.

Some Shenzhen technology companies started to transfer to the zone when China Merchants'Shekou Industrial Zone Co Ltd in 2012 established a 1,500,000 square meter office park there.

Its first stage has been put into use. Yang Tianping, vice president of China Merchants' Shekou Industrial Zone Co Ltd, said almost all offices have been rented.