The city of Baotou – located in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region – was chosen to be on the top 10 pilot city list for the Innovation China, announced on Feb 21.

The list is said to mainly reflect the level of services in response to the tech needs of pilot cities, the follow-ups of R&D and technical achievements, and contract signing.

Baotou joined the first group of 26 pilot cities identified in China on Jan 18 last year. Since then, the Baotou Science and Technology Association has researched the demand for science and technology, looking at the precise connection between the supply side and the demand side.

Baotou and various national societies hold academic exchanges and technical roadshows regularly. The city, since last year, has promoted 194 enterprises and colleges, as well as 739 experts, to join the Innovation China. It also identified 157 specific scientific and technological needs last year, and made 68 scientific and technological achievements.

In addition, Baotou established collaborative cooperation with 12 national societies – including the China Renewable Energy Society – and three industry-university-research collaboration organizations.

It has jointly carried out 21 on-site and online training sessions for innovative methods and technical managers, involving more than 5,000 people.