Shanghai Dethrones Beijing to Top Chinese Regions in Sci-tech Innovation, Report Shows

Shanghai surpassed Beijing to rank first among China's 31 provincial-level regions by the level of science and technology innovation, according to a report by a think tank under the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Shanghai had the highest comprehensive sci-tech innovation level in China this year, followed by Beijing, Jiangsu province, Guangdong province, Zhejiang province, and Tianjin, according to the report published by the Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development at the Pujiang Innovation Forum yesterday.

The report assessed China's provincial-level regions in five science and technology aspects: innovation environment, innovation input, innovation output, high-techs industrialization, and promotion of social and economic development.

Shanghai ranked first in terms of labor productivity, economic openness, and technology exports. Meanwhile, Beijing topped the innovation environment and research and development intensity parameters.

Guangdong ranked first by innovation-driven development, second by innovation input, and fourth by innovation output. Local enterprises demonstrated robust innovation momentum, having the highest R&D intensity among listed firms and the highest export of charges for the use of intellectual properties per CNY100 million (USD14.1 million) of gross domestic product.

The top six all exceeded the national average, forming China's top-tier. Hubei province, Chongqing, and 20 other provincial-level regions were deemed second-tier players as they scored below the average but above 50.

Hubei climbed one position to seventh. Chongqing, which ranked eighth, excels in high-tech industrialization, holding the top spot in this category.

The third tier consisted of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Qinghai province, and Xizang Autonomous Region, the only three provincial-level regions scoring below 50. There were six third-tier provinces last year and 10 in 2023.

The Yangtze River Delta, led by Shanghai, has become a major competitive area in terms of sci-tech innovation, with 10 national innovation demonstration zones. All the 11 provincial-level regions there improved their technological innovation level.

Provinces along the Yellow River Basin have seen enhancements in their innovation environments, effectively supporting regional development strategies.

China's overall technological innovation score rose to 80.2 points this year from 78.4 points last year, according to the report. Innovation input and output and high-tech industrialization continued to grow, effectively driving socioeconomic development.