A view of Lujiazui, Shanghai’s financial center. [Photo/IC]
Singapore and Shanghai retained the top two positions in the 2024 Asia-Pacific Knowledge Competitiveness Index released in Shanghai on Dec 20.
The index, which evaluates 53 regions in Asia-Pacific using 19 indicators, evaluates the ability to transform knowledge capital into economic value and resident wealth.
Beijing saw a significant increase in its knowledge competitiveness, jumping to third place. Jiangsu province, Guangdong province, Tianjin municipality, and Zhejiang province all entered the top 20 rankings.
Luo Shougui, chief expert of the Knowledge Competitiveness Index and professor of Antai College of Economics and Management of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, emphasized the importance of increasing investment in research and development and boosting patent output. Doing so boosts performance in knowledge-intensive manufacturing and service industries, which, in turn, serves to improve knowledge competitiveness.
Luo also expressed his optimism about China’s heightened emphasis on technological investment, from the national level to local levels. Notably, Shanghai’s R&D investment exceeds that of the ninth-largest economy, Brazil.
He highlighted that Shanghai has consistently ranked in the top 10 for knowledge competitiveness for 12 consecutive years, the top five for the last nine years, and second place since 2022, demonstrating a steady upward trend.
Shanghai stands out in knowledge-intensive sectors, with employment numbers in information technology, biotechnology, automotive and mechanical engineering, and electronic machinery industries, all ranking within the top 10 in the Asia-Pacific region.
Source: Jiefang Daily
,https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Latest-WhatsNew/20241224/91b9f6af69e7400eac9170e5b09811a9.html