Hohhot, the capital of Inner Mongolia, has taken a significant step towards positioning itself as a leading innovation hub in northern China. On August 25, the city convened a conference on deepening the integration of technological innovation and industrial innovation, where it officially released the "Measures for Advancing Deep Integration of Technological Innovation and Industrial Innovation" along with an implementation plan. The 20 measures are designed to place economic and social development firmly on an innovation-driven path and accelerate Hohhot's emergence as an important growth pole for high-quality development in the region.
The city's resolve is underscored by a clear message: "The less developed a region is, the more it needs to pursue an innovation-driven development strategy." This reflects a strategic recognition that innovation is crucial for overcoming developmental challenges. Hohhot's existing strengths provide a solid foundation for these ambitions. For instance, the National Dairy Technology Innovation Centre has made groundbreaking strides by shortening dairy-cattle breeding evaluation from four years to just 45 days and cultivating China's first probiotic strain for infants derived from Chinese breast milk. This innovation supports Hohhot's goal of advancing from the "Dairy Capital of China" to a global dairy hub.
In addition to dairy, Hohhot is fostering innovation in other high-tech sectors. A major scientific facility for aerospace and sky-to-ground cross-scale metrology, benchmarked against international standards, is under construction in Horinger New District. Inner Mongolia University of Technology has launched the region's first open new-energy industrial large model. Moreover, a domestic enterprise that is the only one capable of consistently producing 4N5 high-purity germanium products is helping to overcome raw-material bottlenecks in quantum technology and calcium-titanium mineral photovoltaics. These examples illustrate how technological and industrial innovation are converging in Hohhot, reinforcing each other.
The city's commitment to innovation is backed by substantial financial investments. Municipal fiscal spending on science and technology will double in 2026 and again in 2027. Newly recognized national-level innovation platforms will receive a one-off research grant of RMB 3 million, and each "Qingcheng Science and Technology Innovation Leading Talent" may receive up to RMB 500,000 in research support. By 2030, Hohhot aims to attract an additional 10 academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, as well as 50 high-level innovation teams. The city will also provide inclusive computing-power vouchers, model vouchers, and token vouchers to technology-oriented small and medium-sized enterprises, lowering barriers to innovation and demonstrating its commitment to supporting innovators.
Openness is a defining feature of Hohhot's strategy. Leveraging the Hohhot Area of the China (Inner Mongolia) Pilot Free Trade Zone, the city is building an international science and technology cooperation base with countries along the Belt and Road. It is also deepening coordination with Beijing's Haidian District through a "two-hour innovation circle," exploring a model where research and development occur elsewhere but results are transformed and applied in Hohhot. This approach underscores Hohhot's belief that innovation cannot thrive in isolation.
Hohhot's character, akin to the resilient Mongolian horse, reflects a determination to achieve its goals. The city embodies the breadth and inclusiveness of the grasslands combined with the courage to explore new frontiers. From the "Dairy Capital of China" to China's "Cloud Valley," Hohhot is transforming into a city of innovation. It extends an invitation to the world, offering supportive policies, real-world application scenarios, and a genuine commitment to partnership.
