(CFP Photo)

Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) ranked fourth among 169 national high-tech zones in China in 2022, three places higher than the 2021 ranking, according to the latest evaluation result recently released by the Torch Center of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

SIP earned the top spot in terms of innovation and international competitiveness, took the third place in entrepreneurial activity, and green development and livability, also stood at the forefront in structural optimization and comprehensive quality.

In 2022, the park registered an annual GDP of 351.56 billion yuan, up 2.3% year-on-year, a foreign trade of 715.13 billion yuan, and actual use of foreign investment at about $2.09 billion, with stable growth of major economic indicators being recorded.

The park's R&D spending accounted for 5.01% of its GDP and the average ownership of invention patents reached 171.8 per 10,000 people while sci-tech innovation has become the strongest growth driver.

In recent years, Suzhou has become home to several innovation platforms such as the National Biopharmaceutical Technology Innovation Center, the National Third Generation Semiconductor Technology Innovation Center (Suzhou) and the core area of the National Next-generation Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Development Pilot Zone. The Chinese Academy of Sciences has also accelerated its development of top nano research facility in the city.

At present, the park boasts 278 experts recognized at the national level and 1,568 foreign high-end talents, becoming a talent hub amid industrial upgrading.

Focusing on key areas such as new medicine R&D, nanotechnology application, artificial intelligence and integrated circuit design, the park introduced more than 1,000 new investment projects last year to settle in.