Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, ranked 29th among the top 100 global cities for scientific research, according to the Nature Index 2021 Science Cities list.
The index tracked and analyzed scientific research papers published in 82 leading natural science journals. It obtained data reflecting global scientific research output and cooperation, based on the number and the proportion of papers published by relevant institutions, countries or regions.
Xi'an's contribution share in 2021 was 430.31, while the number of papers was 1,006, accounting for 2.6 percent of the regional contribution share, according to the index.
In recent years, Xi'an has made breakthroughs in promoting the opening and sharing of innovation resources, to improve innovation capability and scientific research capability.
Currently, Xi'an has more than 460 various scientific research institutions, 164 key laboratories above the provincial level, 154 engineering technology research centers and 237 enterprise technology centers.
In addition, the city's number of top talent and academicians nowadays ranks at the forefront of the largest and medium-sized cities in the country.
Xi'an's social R&D investment in 2021 amounted to 55.37 billion yuan ($7.94 billion), a year-on-year increase of 9.41 percent, while its investment intensity was 5.18 percent, a year-on-year increase of 0.13 percentage point.