With comprehensive support systems and resources for startups, not to mention an enviable quality of life, Chengdu is attracting a growing number of companies and entrepreneurs.

Chen Jun, former senior executive of the southwest branch of Tencent Holdings Ltd, quit his job in 2013 and established an internet company in the Chengdu Tianfu Software Park.

His company, Tomasky Information Co Ltd, has developed a free management system for small hotels. It enables hoteliers to handle procedures such as checking in and out, taking bookings and room inquiries with either a computer or a smartphone.

Currently, the software has more than 60,000 users at 500 tourist destinations around the world, including popular cities in China, Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, New Zealand and Australia.

The company is planning to expand the market by offering personalized services and guidance to hoteliers using big data analytics, Chen said.

"The city has many high-quality universities and a large human resources pool, but housing prices and living expenses here are much lower than those in Beijing and Shanghai," he said.

Chengdu is also a well-known tourist destination, enabling his company to conduct market research and promotions more conveniently.

"Another reason for me to choose Chengdu is the local government's strong support for startup companies," Chen said.

The Chengdu Hi-tech Zone provided free offices for his company's first year of operation, and thereafter offered rent subsidies. As an outstanding entrepreneur, Sichuan province listed Chen on its 1,000 professionals program and gave him an award of 1 million yuan ($145,331).

To make the city a top choice for professionals to develop new ideas or start businesses, Chengdu announced in February that it would adopt a new human resources policy and establish a fund of up to 2 billion yuan.

For Nobel Prize laureates who launch startups in Chengdu, the government financial aid could reach 50 million yuan. Up to 100 million yuan could be granted to a research team.

Chen said he also enjoys the laid-back lifestyle in Chengdu and its delicious food.

"An increasing number of professionals from first-tier cities are seeking opportunities in Chengdu," he said. "Once they come, many of them never want to leave."

(China Daily European Weekly 12/02/2016 page32)