Sources from the administrative committee of the park revealed that 39 of the world's top 500 enterprises, including IBM, Nokia, SUN, Nortel, Motorola, SMC, Microsoft, Intel and GE, have set up research and development centers.

And a group of these giants, including Kodak, SK, NEC, Siemens, Samsung and Sanyo, established regional headquarters, manufacturing bases or joint ventures here.

Larry Ellison, chairman of United States-based Oracle Corp, paid a visit to the Beijing Zhongguancun Software Park last week, and talked about setting up the company's second research center in the 139.06-hectare (344-acre) area.

The research center in Beijing will focus on government applications, to complement Oracle's business application research center in Shenzhen.

"They are not only eyeing our rich intellectual resources in technologies and talent, but also the innovative infrastructure, legal environment and administrative services," said Ren Ranqi, vice-director with the committee.

"Landing some of the world's top (high-tech) players may attract related enterprises, which will stimulate progress in the park," he added.

Ren acknowledged, however, that poor communication between the world's top 500 and the park's administrative body has hindered mutual understanding, and hence further development of the park.

Last year, a specific office was set up to study the requirements of the world's top 500 and contact and negotiate with them via various channels.

The new office formulated a complete system geared toward the world's top 500. The system was designed to improve the hard and soft environments in the park and offer efficient services in line with international principles.