As one of the three national-level high-tech zones in China using “torch” as their names, Xiamen Torch High-tech Industrial Development Zone (Xiamen Torch High-tech Zone) was co-founded in December 1990 by China’s Science and Technology Commission and Xiamen Municipal Government and designated as one of the first national-level high-tech zones by the State Council in March 1991.

Torch Hi-Tech Zone has followed "one zone with multiple parks" growth strategy. It is home to more than ten national-level industrial development and incubation platforms, including one of China’s first export bases for high-tech products, a national pilot cluster of photoelectric display industry, a national model base for new industrialization, a national high-caliber overseas talent innovation and entrepreneurship base, a national Cross-Strait technology cooperation and exchange base, and a national technology transfer model institution. It has become a "factory churning out star hi-tech enterprises", providing upstream and downstream support relating to technological research and development, results commercialization and market linkage.