It is not by chance that American IT giants Hewlett-Packard and Oracle Corporation both built their international software talent training centers in Jining, a third-tier city in Shandong province.

"With a sound business and scientific research environment, Jining has transformed into an investment hot spot for information technology and service industries from being heavily dependant on coal-related industries," said Ma Pingchang, Party chief of the city.

The city is now home to 76 information technology and service companies, which generated combined operating revenue of 25.1 billion yuan ($4.08 billion) last year.