China now hosts six of the world's top ten scientific research hubs, according to the Nature Index 2025 Science Cities supplement released this week. Beijing retains its position as the leading global science city for the tenth consecutive year, solidifying China's growing influence in cutting-edge research.
Rising Stars in Chinese Science
Shanghai, Nanjing, Guangzhou, Wuhan, and Hangzhou joined Beijing in the top ten, marking the first time Chinese cities constitute a majority. Beijing's research output grew 9.14% year-over-year through 2024, while Shanghai surged 20% – outpacing all U.S. counterparts. The New York and Boston metropolitan areas ranked third and fourth, respectively, though U.S. cities collectively lost ground in adjusted Share metrics.
Subject-Specific Dominance
Chinese cities claimed all top ten chemistry research spots for the first time and secured six positions each in physical sciences and earth/environmental sciences. Beijing led globally across all three disciplines. 'This reflects China's strategic investments in STEM infrastructure and talent cultivation,' the report noted.
The analysis tracks institutional contributions to high-quality journals from 2015-2024, with 2024 data showing accelerated growth in China's research ecosystem. As global R&D dynamics shift, these rankings underscore Asia's expanding role in shaping humanity's scientific future.
