Editor's note: Officials, researchers and company executives share their insights on the startup and investment climate in Chengdu, Peng Chao reports.

"Chengdu is one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing cities in China. I'm glad to see so many European companies choosing Chengdu as their top investment destination and achieving great development here."

Carmen Cano de Lasala, deputy head of the European Union delegation to China

"Chengdu has a very bright future in terms of innovation and the development of SMEs. It is attractive to our EBN members with its long and good relationship with the EU and excellent environment for innovation and entrepreneurship."

Alvaro Simon de Blas, rotating president of EBN,

"Chengdu is a sizable city, which makes it easier for us to implement entrepreneurship and innovation. It is also active in internationalization. I think that Chengdu is an ideal and promising city for us to expand cooperation."

Philippe Mariani, director of Sophia Antipolis Science and Technology Park in France

"Chengdu previously impressed visitors as a city of fine food, a long history and a happy lifestyle, but now it may have a new label as a city for entrepreneurs to realize their dreams."

Zhang Zhihong, director of the Torch High Technology Industry Development Center, Ministry of Science and Technology

"The innovation and entrepreneurship environment of Chengdu benefits from the government's strong support and good service, as well as the ecological and cultural environment."

Zhu Min, founder and chairman of Cybernaut Investment Group

"I chose Chengdu because of the city's strong support for startups and its solid foundations in biotechnology, as well as its myriad development opportunities and a highly developed transport network."

Li Jin, a fellow of the UK Royal Society of Chemistry and founder and chairman of HitGen, a biotech company in the Chengdu High-tech Zone

"My research would have been a lot more difficult had it not been for the help of the local government. The success of our company can be attributed not only to me and my colleagues, but also to the policies that support personnel to conduct innovation and startup work in Chengdu."

Wang Tun, founder of the Institute of Care-Life in Chengdu, a leading high-tech company focused on earthquake early warning

"I assessed several cities before setting up the company, covering aspects including business environment, economic growth, governmental support, international status and the cultural environment. Chengdu came out on top."

Zou Xueming, founder and chairman of Chengdu-based AllTech Medical Systems

(China Daily 06/24/2016 page6)