Core Viewpoint - The "zero rent war" across China's industrial parks is a response to rising vacancy rates, with cities implementing various policies to attract businesses, but the hidden costs and complexities behind these policies raise questions about their effectiveness [1][5][8]. Group 1: Policy Implementation - Major cities like Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Beijing have introduced unique zero rent policies to attract businesses, with Shanghai offering three years of zero rent followed by two years of reduced rent [3][4]. - Shenzhen's "gradient rent exemption" allows companies to enjoy two years of full exemption and a 50% reduction in the third year, leading to over 200 tech companies benefiting from savings exceeding 50 million yuan [3][4]. - Other cities, such as Guangzhou and Chengdu, have also launched significant zero rent initiatives, with Guangzhou providing 150,000 square meters of industrial space for trial [3][4]. Group 2: Market Dynamics - The vacancy rate in Shanghai's industrial parks has reached 29.2%, with some areas in Shenzhen and Chengdu exceeding 30% and even 60%, indicating a challenging market environment [1][2]. - The zero rent policies are not merely about cost reduction but are part of a broader strategy to attract specific industries, focusing on emerging sectors like AI, biotechnology, and smart manufacturing [4][5]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - The zero rent movement has sparked debates about whether it leads to healthy competition or detrimental practices, with some parks successfully leveraging these policies to boost local economies while others struggle with low occupancy and productivity rates [5][6]. - The effectiveness of zero rent policies is contingent on the ability of parks to provide additional support services and foster a conducive environment for business growth, rather than just offering free space [6][7]. Group 4: Future Implications - As more cities adopt zero rent policies, the marginal benefits of such incentives may diminish, shifting the competitive focus from rent prices to the quality of the ecosystem provided by the parks [8][9]. - The long-term success of these policies will depend on the parks' ability to transform space into innovation and growth opportunities, rather than relying solely on rental income [9].