The Enterprise Science and Technology Innovation Development Forum 2026 is hosted in Tianjin on Friday. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)

Tianjin has climbed from 25th to 15th in the Nature Index Science Cities rankings over the past five years, while maintaining sixth place nationwide in China's national science and technology innovation index.

The figures were released on Friday at the Enterprise Science and Technology Innovation Development Forum 2026 in Tianjin, where participants discussed ways to turn scientific research into commercial applications.

The Enterprise Science and Technology Innovation Development Forum 2026 is hosted in Tianjin on Friday. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)

Cui Tongxiang, deputy director of the Tianjin High-Tech Area's administrative committee, said the zone accounts for less than one percent of the city's land but is home to one-fifth of its technology enterprises.

Home to a host of innovation platforms, including nine universities and three Haihe Laboratories, the zone has helped more than 400 companies secure over 5 billion yuan ($749 million) in unsecured loans.

The Enterprise Science and Technology Innovation Development Forum 2026 is hosted in Tianjin on Friday. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)

It has also established 15 industrial funds totaling more than 26 billion yuan to support innovation in computing, robotics and biomedicine, Cui said.

Biomanufacturing is another priority. Under a recently issued action plan, Tianjin aims to become an internationally influential center for biomanufacturing innovation and industrial development by 2030.

The Enterprise Science and Technology Innovation Development Forum 2026 is hosted in Tianjin on Friday. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)

Liu Xiangyou, deputy general manager of Bank of China's Tianjin branch, said the bank has introduced financing measures targeting pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, and brain-computer interface developers.

He said the bank offers integrated financial services covering early-stage research, public listings and international expansion to help technology companies grow.