Imagine a network of cities working in harmony to push the frontiers of science. In the Nature Index 2025 Science Cities supplement, the Chinese mainland now accounts for more than half of the top 10 global scientific research hubs, led by Beijing, a position held since 2016.
Innovation is no longer confined to isolated metropolises. Today, it unfolds through collaborative networks that connect regions, levels, and industries across the mainland.
Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei cluster
As a Chinese mainland innovation powerhouse, Beijing has deepened ties with Tianjin and Hebei, propelling the Jing-Jin-Ji city cluster into a new era of coordinated growth. Since the national strategy launch in February 2014, the region has built 14 innovation platforms and seven national advanced manufacturing clusters. In 2024, its combined GDP topped 11.5 trillion yuan (about 1.6 trillion USD).
At Xiongan New Area in the Zhongguancun Science Park, 11 Beijing based institutions now offer one stop services for enterprises, allowing startups and scale ups to tap high value resources without leaving the zone.
Yangtze River Delta engine
Along the mid coast, the Yangtze River Delta home to Shanghai and the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui leverages a century old industrial backbone to incubate tomorrows tech champions. More than 30 percent of the mainland high tech firms operate here, and the National Innovation Center par Excellence has teamed up with over 200 universities and research institutes worldwide, spawning nearly 600 joint labs with leading companies.
Greater Bay Area leap
Further south, the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area GBA is fast emerging as a global innovation corridor. Nine major technological infrastructure projects are under way, and 31 joint labs link Guangdong with Hong Kong and Macao, laying the groundwork for breakthroughs in fields from biotech to green energy.
For global entrepreneurs, policymakers and digital nomads alike, the mainland model of coordinated innovation offers a blueprint for boosting regional competitiveness and forging sustainable growth models worldwide.
Reference(s):
How China drives high-quality development through tech innovation
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