China’s push for high-quality development is increasingly powered by technological innovation. According to the Nature Index 2025, Chinese cities now account for more than half of the world’s top 10 research hubs, with Beijing remaining the leading global science city. What stands out is that innovation is no longer confined to a handful of major cities. From the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region to the Yangtze River Delta and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, coordinated regional innovation clusters are emerging as new growth engines. What are the key factors contributing to China’s innovation capability? And what does this mean for China’s economy and global competition?