China's capital city Beijing retained top spot on the scientific and technological innovation index, Beijing Youth Daily reported on Monday citing a report on Chinese development in those fields.

From 2012 to 2021, Beijing's scientific and technological innovation index increased 78.5 percent with strong growth momentum in areas including innovation resources, environment, services and performance.

The city's innovation level has increased continuously since 2012 and its speed in building itself up as a science and technology center has been accelerated.

Shanghai surpassed Shenzhen for the first time to grab second place and Guangzhou took fourth, followed by Hangzhou and Nanjing.

Chongqing was included in the top 20 for the first time, with Dongguan and Jinan returning to that grouping.

A huge gap remains among Chinese cities in scientific and technological innovation and further reforms are needed to stimulate market forces and unleash the vitality of innovation factors, the report said, adding Chinese cities should strengthen links with major innovation cities around the world and explore new models of cooperation.