The Center for Industrial Development and Environmental Governance, Tsinghua University and Nature Research released the Global Innovation Hubs Index, GIHI2022 on Dec 21.

Beijing ranks third on the newly released GIHI2022. [Photo/bjzpark.spotlightbeijing.com]

Among the world's international science and technology innovation centers, Beijing's ranking has steadily improved in recent years, currently ranking third in the world, and has seen significant improvements in its innovation ecological indicators.

GIHI2022 evaluates the innovation capabilities of 100 cities (metropolitan areas) around the world through 31 indicators in three dimensions: science center, innovation highland, and innovation ecology, reflecting the trend of the world's innovation landscape and important domestic cities innovation performance. 

The evaluation shows that San Francisco-San Jose ranked first, achieving three consecutive championships, New York ranked second, and Beijing surpassed London to rank third. Asian cities are outstanding in the field of green and low-carbon development, and have significant advantages in renewable energy technology patents.

Niels Peter Thomas, president for Springer Nature, Greater China, remarked that innovation is the key engine of economic growth and social development, and international open cooperation has become increasingly prominent in supporting innovation output. 

China's innovation strength is constantly improving, and Beijing is playing an increasingly important role in the global innovation network. It is expected that more Chinese cities will become international science and technology innovation centers.

Xu Qiang, director of the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission and the Zhongguancun Science Park Administrative Committee, said that it is of great significance to carry out research on the science and technology innovation center index. 

As one of the regions with the strongest scientific and technological foundations, the most concentrated innovation resources, and the most active innovation subjects in the country, Beijing has favorable conditions with which to build one of the world's major science center and innovation highlands. 

In recent years, Beijing has made important phased progress in building an international science and technology innovation center. It has achieved landmarks in the layout and implementation of national laboratories, large scientific device clusters, new research and development institutions, and major original innovation breakthroughs in the fields of artificial intelligence and quantum information.

It is worth noting that the three international science and technology innovation centers planned by China - Beijing, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and Shanghai, all entered the top ten. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area surpassed Tokyo Bay for the first time and became the new value chain hub in Asia.