Chongqing- As Chongqing belongs to the medium innovation areas where the comprehensive scientific and technological innovation level index exceeds 50 points, innovative regional development is viewed as essential support for building an innovative country, according to a report recently published by the Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development.
Chongqing's innovation-driven development strategy is a hallmark of its importance as an economic hub in Southwest China.
According to statistics, the city invested more than 60 billion yuan in research and experimental development (R&D) in 2021, employing over 200,000 people. Technology-related and high-tech enterprises totaled over 40,000 and 5,000, respectively, and the total industrial output of 16 high-tech zones exceeded 40% of the city's total.
An employee is working on scientific and technological experiments. (Photo/ Western (Chongqing) Science City)
The Western (Chongqing) Science City is one example of the city's desire to boost scientific and technological innovation in the interests of building a scientific and technological innovation center with national impact, 312 high-end R&D platforms launched in the Science City, including the city's first large scientific installation, the intelligent connected vehicle innovation center, Peking University Chongqing Big Data Research Institute, and more.
"The regional pattern of China's innovative development has changed profoundly, gradually forming a multi-level strategic layout with complementary advantages and high-quality development," said Zhang Xu, president of the Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development.
The report also concludes that the scientific and technological innovation capacity of the regions along the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Yellow River Basin, for ecological protection and high-quality development has been steadily enhanced this year.
According to data, the national comprehensive scientific and technological innovation level index scored 75.42 points in 2022, up 15.14 points from ten years ago.
In vital Chinese economic areas, such as Beijing, Shanghai, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, science and innovation centers have strengthened their leadership positions, strongly supporting China's development as a scientific and technological powerhouse and an innovative country.
Using 12 secondary and 43 tertiary indicators from five aspects, the report evaluates the level of scientific and technological innovation nationwide, including the environment for science and technology innovation, the inputs and outputs of science and technology activities, the industrialization of advanced technology, and the promotion of science and technology for economic and social development.
According to the report, 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in China have experienced an increase in their scores on the comprehensive scientific and technological innovation level index this year compared with ten years ago. In terms of innovation areas, there are three levels: leading innovation areas, medium innovation areas, and innovation catch-up areas.
China should enhance the ability to build regional science and technology innovation systems in the future, improve regional collaborative innovation capabilities and levels, and provide more robust support for the construction of China as an innovative country and a world leader in science and technology, according to Zhang.
(Tan Jingyue, as an intern, also contributed to this report.)