Wuxi Software Park is located in Wuxi National Hi-tech District. [Photo/WeChat account: xinwu_wx]

Wuxi National Hi-tech District ranked 20th among all Chinese national high-tech zones in a comprehensive assessment by the Torch Center, Ministry of Science and Technology, according to local media.

The ranking is seven places higher than in 2020 thanks to the district's long-term efforts in innovation-driven and high-quality development, said officials.

In 2021, the output value of high-tech industries in WND exceeded 380 billion yuan ($60.14 billion), a year-on-year increase of more than 20 percent, accounting for over 70 percent of the total industrial output value above the designated size.

By the end of 2021, research and development expenditure in the zone accounted for 4.84 percent of GDP, ranking second on the comprehensive evaluation list of the innovation-driven development of high-tech zones in the province.

A total of 2,450 new technology companies were established in WND in 2021, a year-on-year increase of 65 percent. Seven enterprises debuted on the science and technology innovation board throughout the year, while the number of high-tech enterprises in WND exceeded 1,000 for the first time within the validity period.

Officials from WND said that in 2022, WND will continue to work toward innovative development with the goal of developing into a high-tech zone with worldwide influence and move into the top 10 national high-tech zones within three years.