Guangzhou, capital of the Guangdong province, took the lead in scientific and technological innovation on the mainland in 2018, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Commerce.

It is the first time that the Guangzhou Development District (GDD), where Sino-Singapore Knowledge City, Guangzhou Science City and Guangzhou International Bio Island are situated, leads State-level development zones in scientific and technological innovation, according to the appraisal conducted by the Ministry.

GDD was second in scientific and technological innovation a year ago.

Meanwhile, GDD was in the top three in industrial foundation, utilization of foreign investment and foreign trade in the previous year.

The GDD became second in the comprehensive competition among 219 State-level development zones last year, the statement said. Suzhou Industrial Park in East China's Jiangsu province came first.

GDD was third in that competition in 2017.

The competition and appraisal that is organized by the Ministry of Commerce began in 2016.

GDD in the eastern part of Guangzhou has introduced preferential policies to promote scientific and technological innovation years ago, with priorities given to the development of information, artificial intelligence and bio-pharmaceutical industries.

GDD is expecting scientific and technological innovation to play a big part in its economic construction and industrial upgrade in the years ahead.