A City of Innovation and Openness: Hohhot's Answer to Integrated Development

On 25 August 2026, Hohhot, a city in northern China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, announced a comprehensive strategy aimed at accelerating the convergence of technological and industrial innovation. The city hosted a conference focused on deepening this integration, during which it formally introduced the Measures for Advancing Deep Integration of Technological Innovation and Industrial Innovation, accompanied by an overarching implementation plan. These 20 measures are designed to steer Hohhot’s economic and social development toward an innovation-driven trajectory, positioning the city as a critical growth engine for high-quality development in northern China. The conference underscored Hohhot’s recognition that regions with less advanced economies must adopt innovation as a core driver of progress. This philosophy is supported by existing achievements in the area. For instance, the National Dairy Technology Innovation Centre has significantly reduced the time required for dairy cattle breeding evaluation from four years to just 45 days. Additionally, the centre has developed China’s first infant and young child probiotic strain derived from Chinese breast milk, contributing to Hohhot’s reputation as the “Dairy Capital of China.” The city is also advancing its status as a global dairy hub through such innovations. A major scientific facility dedicated to aerospace, sky-to-ground, and cross-scale metrology is being constructed in the Horinger New District. This facility is set to rival international standards. Furthermore, Inner Mongolia University of Technology has launched the region’s first new-energy industrial large model available globally. In parallel, a domestic company, currently the sole producer of 4N5 high-purity germanium products, is addressing critical material challenges in quantum technologies and calcium-titanium mineral photovoltaics. Hohhot’s commitment to innovation is reflected in its financial policies. Municipal funding for science and technology will double in 2026 and again in 2027. New national-level innovation platforms will receive a one-time research grant of RMB 3 million. Each individual recognized as a "Qingcheng Science and Technology Innovation Leading Talent" can receive up to RMB 500,000 in research support. By 2030, the city aims to attract 10 additional academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, alongside 50 high-level innovation teams. To lower entry barriers for innovation, Hohhot has implemented a policy allowing technology-focused small and medium-sized enterprises to access inclusive computing-power, model, and token vouchers without needing to apply for them. This initiative demonstrates the city’s dedication to fostering an environment conducive to innovation. Openness is a hallmark of Hohhot’s approach. Leveraging the Hohhot Area within the China (Inner Mongolia) Pilot Free Trade Zone, the city is constructing an international science and technology cooperation base with nations along the Belt and Road Initiative. It is also strengthening ties with Beijing’s Haidian District through a "two-hour innovation circle," enabling research and development activities to occur in one location while results are applied in Hohhot. Hohhot recognizes that innovation thrives best in an open environment rather than behind closed doors. The city’s character mirrors that of the Mongolian horse, resilient, hardworking, and determined. Its identity combines the vast openness of the grasslands with the boldness and pioneering spirit needed to explore new frontiers and implement novel ideas. From the "Dairy Capital of China" to China’s "Cloud Valley," from the pastures of Chilechuan to the computing-power clusters of Horinger, Hohhot is emerging as a green city poised for transformation. The unveiling of the World Dairy Capital sculpture at Yili Modern Wisdom Health Valley symbolizes this evolution. As the city continues to develop, it is increasingly evident that Hohhot is not merely adapting to change, it is leading it.