Core Insights - The 2024 Nature Index highlights that Chinese cities now occupy more than half of the top ten global research cities, increasing from five to six cities compared to 2023 [1][2] - Beijing retains its position as the top research city globally since 2016, followed by Shanghai, with Nanjing, Guangzhou, Wuhan, and Hangzhou also making the list [1][2] Summary by Categories Research City Rankings - In 2024, the top ten research cities include six from China: Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Guangzhou, Wuhan, and Hangzhou, alongside New York, Boston, San Francisco, and Baltimore-Washington [1][2] - Guangzhou improved its ranking from eighth to sixth, surpassing the San Francisco Bay Area, while Wuhan and Hangzhou also saw upward movements [2] Research Output Growth - Beijing's research output increased by over 9% from 2023 to 2024, while Shanghai's output grew nearly 20% [2] - The report indicates significant improvements in research performance among Chinese cities, particularly in chemistry, physical sciences, and earth and environmental sciences [2] Subject Area Performance - Chinese cities dominate the rankings in chemistry, physical sciences, and earth and environmental sciences, with Beijing leading in all three fields [2] - In biological sciences, New York and Boston rank first and second, with Beijing in third place, while in health sciences, which was newly included in the index, Beijing ranks sixth [2] Challenges and Global Collaboration - The report also addresses the issue of land subsidence faced by rapidly expanding coastal megacities, particularly in the context of rising sea levels [3] - It emphasizes the potential for innovative solutions to challenges like land subsidence through global research collaboration [5]

Core Insights - China has secured more than half of the top ten global research cities for the first time, increasing from five to six cities in the 2024 Nature Index [1][3] - Beijing remains the top research city globally since 2016, followed by Shanghai, with Nanjing, Guangzhou, Wuhan, and Hangzhou ranking fifth, sixth, eighth, and tenth respectively [1][3] Summary by Categories Research City Rankings - The 2024 Nature Index lists six Chinese cities among the top ten, with New York metropolitan area, Boston metropolitan area, San Francisco Bay Area, and Baltimore-Washington occupying the remaining spots [3] - Guangzhou improved its ranking from eighth to sixth, surpassing the San Francisco Bay Area, while Wuhan and Hangzhou also made significant gains [3] Research Output Growth - Beijing's research output increased by over 9% from 2023 to 2024, while Shanghai saw a nearly 20% growth [3] - The report highlights a significant rise in research performance across various disciplines for Chinese cities, particularly in chemistry, physical sciences, and earth and environmental sciences [3] Discipline Performance - Chinese cities dominated the chemistry field, securing all top ten positions globally, and held six spots in both physical sciences and earth and environmental sciences, with Beijing leading in all these areas [3] - In the biological sciences, New York and Boston ranked first and second, with Beijing in third place, while in the newly included health sciences, Beijing ranked sixth, with Shanghai and Guangzhou also making the top ten [3] Challenges and Collaboration - The report addresses the issue of land subsidence faced by rapidly expanding coastal megacities, particularly in the context of rising sea levels, and emphasizes the importance of global research collaboration to tackle these challenges [4] - Simon Baker, the editor of the Nature Index, noted that cross-border and interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers can lead to impactful solutions for challenges like land subsidence [4]