January 10, 2026 – The unveiling ceremony of the Hangzhou Zheli Pet Economy Research Institute was held in Hangzhou. With its official launch, the institute becomes China’s first formally registered research-oriented non-profit organization focused on the pet economy, marking an important milestone in Hangzhou’s efforts to promote innovation and high-quality growth within the pet industry.
Hangzhou’s Pet Industry Ecosystem Continues to Strengthen
The establishment of the institute reflects the rapid and structured development of Hangzhou’s pet industry in recent years. The city has consistently invested in developing a comprehensive pet industry ecosystem, boasting clear advantages in both the number of market participants and overall industry scale.
Several leading pet companies and publicly listed enterprises have established headquarters, operational centers, or regional offices in Hangzhou. Tianyuan Pet, a well-known pet products company, has its headquarters in the city, while other listed companies in pet nutrition, toys, and supplies have also established key operations in Hangzhou.
Driven by these industry leaders, Hangzhou has now gathered more than 20,000 pet-related enterprises, forming a highly collaborative and resilient industry ecosystem.
Tianyuan Pet: Industry Leadership and Institutional Vision
During the ceremony, Mr. Xue Yuanchao, Chairman of Tianyuan Pet and Chairman of the Board of the Hangzhou Zheli Pet Economy Research Institute, highlighted Hangzhou’s unique strengths in digital infrastructure and consumer markets.
He noted that the industry bears both responsibility and confidence in leveraging the institute as a platform to support government decision-making, enable enterprise innovation, and promote responsible and science-based pet ownership, contributing to the long-term, healthy development of the pet economy.
Positioning the Institute as an Industry Think Tank
According to Mr. Xu Weirong, President of the Hangzhou Zheli Pet Economy Research Institute, the institute is positioned as the “brain trust” of the pet economy. Its core mission will focus on three key areas:
- Providing policy, regulatory, and legal research to support government decision-making
- Building a bridge between industry, academia, and research institutions to accelerate innovation and resource integration
- Promoting civilized and responsible pet ownership to foster sustainable social and market development
This strategic positioning reflects a broader shift in China’s pet industry, from rapid expansion toward standardization, compliance, and value-driven growth.
Expanding Industry Collaboration and Specialized Committees
The unveiling event brought together representatives from industry, academia, and research organizations. In collaboration with relevant industry associations, the institute announced the formation of a Pet Services Professional Committee, with plans to establish additional specialized committees across different segments of the pet economy.
These committees are expected to function as frontline platforms for resource coordination, industry collaboration, and professional development. The institute also appointed several senior researchers with practical experience in pet industry economics, consumer behavior, and public policy to strengthen its applied research capabilities.
Digitalization and Intelligent Innovation as Key Priorities
In the context of rapid digital economic growth, digitalization and intelligent technologies have been identified as core development directions for the institute.
The institute plans to work closely with leading digital research organizations to explore the application of big data and artificial intelligence in pet food and pet product research and development. These initiatives aim to drive the evolution of pet products from basic functional solutions to offerings that enable smarter interaction and enhanced user experiences.
Additionally, a digital pet economy service platform is under development, integrating services such as veterinary care, insurance, and pet boarding to improve convenience, transparency, and reliability for pet owners.
Industry Perspective: A Turning Point Toward Value-Oriented Growth
The establishment of the Hangzhou Zheli Pet Economy Research Institute comes at a pivotal moment as China’s pet industry transitions from scale expansion to value-focused and sustainable development. It represents not only a milestone for Hangzhou’s pet sector but also an important reference point for the broader Chinese pet industry.
As a professional pet products manufacturer serving global B2B clients, Petstar will continue to closely monitor industry policy, technological innovation, and structural changes. We remain committed to supporting a more standardized, innovative, and sustainable pet industry ecosystem together with our partners worldwide.
