Hohhot, the capital of Inner Mongolia, has taken a significant step toward transforming its economy by releasing a comprehensive set of measures designed to integrate technological and industrial innovation. The announcement, made at a conference on August 25, outlines 20 concrete actions and an implementation plan intended to accelerate the city's development as a high-quality growth hub in northern China.
The measures come as part of a broader strategy to place economic and social development on an innovation-driven path. Recognizing that less developed regions need to pursue innovation-led strategies even more vigorously, Hohhot is leveraging its existing strengths to build a competitive edge.
One of the city's key assets is the National Dairy Technology Innovation Centre, which has made significant strides in dairy science. It has reduced dairy-cattle breeding evaluation from four years to just 45 days and cultivated China's first probiotic strain for infants derived from Chinese breast milk. This innovation supports Hohhot's ambition to evolve from the "Dairy Capital of China" into a global dairy hub.
In the Horinger New District, a major scientific facility for aerospace and cross-scale metrology is under construction, benchmarked against international standards. Additionally, Inner Mongolia University of Technology has launched the region's first open new-energy industrial large model. A domestic enterprise, the only one capable of consistently producing 4N5 high-purity germanium products, is helping overcome raw-material bottlenecks in quantum technology and photovoltaics.
The city's commitment is underscored by substantial fiscal investment. Municipal spending on science and technology is set to double in 2026 and again in 2027. Newly recognized national-level innovation platforms will receive a one-off research grant of RMB 3 million, and each "Qingcheng Science and Technology Innovation Leading Talent" may receive up to RMB 500,000 in research support. By 2030, Hohhot aims to attract 10 additional academicians and 50 high-level innovation teams.
A notable feature of the policy is the "enjoy benefits without application" approach, which provides computing-power vouchers, model vouchers, and token vouchers to tech-oriented small and medium-sized enterprises, lowering barriers to innovation. This reflects the city's sincerity in supporting innovators.
Openness is a defining characteristic of Hohhot's strategy. Drawing on the Hohhot Area of the China (Inner Mongolia) Pilot Free Trade Zone, the city is building an international science and technology cooperation base with Belt and Road countries. It is also deepening coordination with Beijing's Haidian District through a "two-hour innovation circle," exploring a model where R&D happens elsewhere but results are applied in Hohhot.
Hohhot's approach is inspired by the Mongolian horse—resilient, diligent, and determined. The city combines the breadth of grasslands with a pioneering spirit to open northwards and explore new frontiers. From the "Dairy Capital" to the "Cloud Valley," Hohhot is transforming into a city of innovation.
With supportive policies, real-world application scenarios, and a genuine commitment to partnership, Hohhot extends an invitation to the world to join hands in building for the future.
