Editor's note: Xu Ying is a Beijing-based international affairs commentator for CGTN. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

At a time when a new round of scientific and technological revolution is reshaping industries and redefining national competitiveness, technological innovation has become more than a driver of growth – it is a strategic foundation for development and security.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized the importance of building international science and technology innovation centers in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the Yangtze River Delta, outlining a clear vision of differentiated positioning and coordinated advancement.

Together, these three innovation hubs are forming a powerful, integrated engine for China's pursuit of high-quality development and high-level technological self-reliance.

The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region serves as China's primary source of original innovation, anchoring the nation's long-term scientific strength. With Beijing at its core, the region has an unparalleled density of national laboratories, major science infrastructure and top research institutions. Places such as Huairou Science City have become global magnets for frontier research in quantum technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and life sciences.

Beijing's leading position in global science center rankings reflects not only its academic depth, but also the effectiveness of China's sustained investment in fundamental research.

Crucially, original innovation is no longer confined to laboratories. Through a well-designed regional division of labor – research in Beijing, and transformation and manufacturing in Tianjin and Hebei – scientific breakthroughs are being translated into tangible productivity.

In fields such as intelligent connected vehicles, an efficient "one-hour supply chain" has taken shape, linking hundreds of specialized enterprises across the region. This model of "core breakthroughs with regional spillover" demonstrates how basic research, when paired with coordinated industrial ecosystems, can become a powerful source of real economic momentum.

If Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei represents the "source," the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao GBA exemplifies the "accelerator" of innovation. Leveraging the unique advantages of "one country, two systems," the GBA has become a cross-border hub where global research resources meet China's vast industrial capacity.

Hong Kong's strengths in basic research, finance and international connectivity complement Shenzhen and Guangzhou's prowess in manufacturing, digital technologies and market responsiveness.

This synergy has significantly shortened the distance from laboratory to production line. High-value patents developed in Hong Kong are rapidly commercialized in Shenzhen, while streamlined customs, unified technical standards and more open flows of talent and equipment have reduced institutional friction.

The result is one of the world's most dynamic innovation clusters, particularly in AI, advanced manufacturing and digital industries. Here, innovation excels not only in inventing new technologies, but also in scaling them from "one to 100," turning ideas into globally competitive industries.

The Yangtze River Delta stands out as an application-oriented innovation leader, where deep integration between innovation chains and industrial chains is most evident. Anchored by Shanghai and supported by cities such as Suzhou, Hangzhou and Nanjing, the region has built a comprehensive innovation ecosystem that connects basic research, technological breakthroughs and large-scale commercialization.

Science cities such as Zhangjiang, along with platforms like the G60 Science and Technology Innovation Corridor and the Yangtze River Delta National Technology Innovation Center, have fostered close collaboration among universities, research institutions and enterprises. This ecosystem has proven particularly effective in sectors such as integrated circuits, biomedicine and advanced materials, where sustained coordination across regions and industries is essential.

The Yangtze River Delta's success lies in its ability to ensure that innovation responds directly to industrial needs, enabling technological advances and industrial upgrading to reinforce each other.

These three innovation hubs are not operating in isolation. Their strength lies precisely in differentiated roles and complementary advantages. Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei focuses on original, foundational breakthroughs; the GBA excels at cross-border collaboration and rapid transformation; and the Yangtze River Delta specializes in application-driven integration and industrial upgrading. This strategic alignment marks a shift from isolated, point-based innovation to a more systematic, regionally integrated approach.

This transition has been reinforced by national policy. The expansion of international science and technology innovation center construction from individual cities to entire regions signals a new phase in China's innovation strategy – one that emphasizes coordination, resource sharing and joint problem-solving. It reflects China's recognition that breakthroughs in key and core technologies increasingly require collective effort rather than fragmented competition.

Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), deeper coordination among the three hubs will be essential. Mechanisms that enable freer flow of talent, data and capital across regions, along with joint research on critical technologies, will help form a more concentrated and resilient national innovation force.

By "clenching the fingers into a fist," or coordinating its complementary regions, China can better address bottlenecks in strategic sectors and enhance its capacity for independent innovation.

As global technological competition intensifies, China's answer is not inward closure, but smarter organization and higher-quality openness. Through the coordinated development of its three major innovation hubs, China is steadily moving from being a major science and technology country to becoming a true science and technology powerhouse – one where innovation is not only abundant, but also effectively transformed into sustainable development and shared prosperity.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com. Follow @thouse_opinions on X to discover the latest commentaries in the CGTN Opinion Section.)