Ordos city in Inner Mongolia autonomous region has been named one of China's top 100 cities in terms of its ability to innovate for the third year in a row, according to the "China Urban Innovation Capability Evaluation Report 2025", which was recently released by the Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (ISTIC).

The report, considered the most authoritative of its kind in the field, evaluates cities based on five categories of innovation: governance, original innovation, technological innovation, results transformation, and leadership, using 30 specific indicators.

Ordos has been recognized for its innovation capability by ISTIC for the third year. [Photo/Wechat account of Ordos Technology Release]

Since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, Ordos has prioritized technological innovation as a core driver of economic and social development, prompting a great leap in its innovation capabilities.

In 2024, the city's R&D investment reached 6.49 billion yuan ($355.94 million), contributing 54.4 percent to Inner Mongolia's growth, with an R&D intensity index of 1.02 percent, surpassing the regional average.

A project focusing on new materials by a high-tech enterprise in Ordos. [Photo/Wechat account of Ordos Technology Release]

The city has implemented the "Double Growth" plan to foster national high-tech enterprises and SMEs in the technology sector. The number of high-tech businesses and tech-focused SMEs is projected to increase to 332 and 870, respectively.

Ordos has also seen a surge in technological achievements, including breakthroughs in advanced hydrogen systems, mercury-free PVC production, aluminum-silicon alloy extraction from fly ash, and sustainable aviation fuel.

The city has introduced the "30 Policies for Technological Innovation", now in its 2.0 version, disbursing over 1.6 billion yuan in rewards and incentives. It has also established the Ordos Talent and Innovation Center, along with innovation hubs in Beijing, Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Xiong'an, further enhancing its innovation ecosystem.