Beijing's scientific research investment intensity — the proportion of such research and development expenditure to regional GDP — remained above 6 percent, ranking among the top cities in China and worldwide, according to the Beijing Business Environment Development Report (2019-24).

Local officials said Beijing has been improving its business environment to boost scientific and technological innovation and build itself into an international sci-tech innovation center.

Data from the report showed that there are more than 550,000 researchers and 77 national key laboratories in the city, which account for about 28 percent of the national total. It also has nine innovative research institutions focused on the frontiers of science and technology. They have made significant achievements, including a new-generation quantum computing cloud platform and intelligent brain-computer interfaces.

In recent years, the city has made sustained efforts to advance its "three cities, one area", which are positioned as the main platforms for the construction of the Beijing International Center for Science and Technology Innovation. These include Zhongguancun Science City, Huairou Science City, Future Science City and the Innovative Industrial Cluster Demonstration Zone.

To encourage R&D in enterprises and accelerate research results' application, city authorities have created incentives for small and micro-sized tech companies and provided customized services for unicorn enterprises — startups valued at more than $1 billion.

For enterprises applying for high-tech company certification, the procedure and needed materials have been simplified, leading to a reduction of more than 80 percent in the review period.

The capital has also set up an online sci-tech service platform, allowing enterprises to find the policies, research results, cooperation, funds, spaces and facilities they need. So far, the platform has received more than 16.17 million visits and served people from 150 countries and regions.

In addition, Beijing is committed to attracting and retaining talents from around the world.

It has established the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Talent Exchange and Cooperation Demonstration Zone in Shunyi district and the International Talents Service Area in Zhongguancun, Haidian district. The latter can give international talents a total of 32 services concerning administrative affairs, living support and career development.

Since 2020, the city has held the HICOOL Global Entrepreneur Summit and Entrepreneurship Competition annually, with over 30,000 participants from 145 countries.

Based on the competition, a comprehensive entrepreneurship service system has been established. It integrates talent selection and "one-to-one" services as well as different support programs through business schools, funds, industrial parks, and digital platforms, local officials said.

The total number of talent resources in Beijing exceeds 8 million, with the talent density surpassing 70 percent, according to the report.