In 2014, China's innovation index ranked the 19th in the world, narrowing the gap with innovation-driven nations in 40 nations globally, based on the National Innovation Index Report 2014, released by Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development (CASTED). According to this annual report, in recent years, China has increased continuous investment into developing innovation, and the abilities for enterprises to innovate has improved significantly, the innovation environment nationally has been enhanced, the influence exerted by science and technology on economic and social development has been increased, and the 12th Five-year plan on science and technology development has been carried out smoothly.

The report shows that innovation capability in China has been improving steadily. In 2013, Each 10,000 R&D personnel owned 967 inventions. In 2013, the rank of the ratio of R&D investment to industrial added value has improved to the 15th in the world from the 17th in 2012. In the same year, China owned 586,000 effective inventions, ranking 4th worldwide. High-end technology exportations accounted for 26.3% of the manufacturing industry exportations, ranking 2nd. The IPR protection index ranked the 25th.

According to the report, in 2013, China has invested 191.21 billion U.S. dollars in R&D, the second biggest investments in the world, surpassing Japan for the first time. Meanwhile, this figure accounted for 13.4% in the major 40 countries, up from 1.7% in 2000, further narrowing the gap with America. China has produced 213,000 SCI theses, accounting for 15% in the world, following America, biggest SCI theses producers. In 2013, Chinese authors have created 12,000 highly cited papers, accounting for 10.4% globally, ranking the 4th. In terms of inventions, China filed 705,000 inventions, representing 44.1% of the 40 countries altogether, topping the world for the 4th consecutive year. 144,000 patents were granted in China, representing 21.4% of total 40 countries.

As of now, China has fulfilled the 12th Five-year plan on science and technology development ahead of schedule in terms of research paper international citations, invention filings, invention holdings, R&D investment, national technology market contract trading volume.

 "Due to continuous R&D investment, China now becomes the second-tier innovative country with IPR output advantage." Says Wu Yishan, vice-President of CASTED. One common feature of innovative country is high IPR output and utilization capacity, high invention filings and holdings means high level of original innovation, innovation activity and technology innovation.