Chengdu's Rise as a Global Innovation Hub During the 14th Five-Year Plan

Chengdu's Transformation into a Global Innovation Center

Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province in southwestern China, is fast becoming a recognized leader in global innovation. This transformation is a key outcome of the ongoing 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), which aims at enhancing China's scientific and technological ambitions. According to the recently released Global Innovation Index 2025, Chengdu has impressively ranked 24th, showcasing the city's dedication to fostering a robust ecosystem for innovation.

Strategic Developments

Strategically positioned in the Chengdu-Chongqing region, Chengdu has catalyzed its growth through the establishment of the Chengdu Science City. This initiative has been pivotal in developing a high-level innovation ecosystem, featuring one national laboratory, four innovation centers, ten significant scientific infrastructures, and four Tianfu laboratories.

Moreover, approximately 96 national innovation platforms have been launched, including the National Precision Medicine Industrial Innovation Center and the National Supercomputing Center. Collaborations with universities and research institutions have resulted in 27 national research entities and 65 joint innovative projects.

In a bid to lead in emerging industries, Chengdu has released implementation guidelines for 24 sectors, notably in humanoid robotics and flexible display technologies. This July, the city accelerated its efforts by launching a Future Industry Fund worth 100 billion yuan (approximately 14.1 billion dollars) that caters specifically to hard tech startups.