Weifang and Dongying in Shandong province have passed the national inspection and become two of China's innovative cities, according to the evaluation results released by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

An innovative city refers to one that mainly relies on technology, knowledge, manpower, culture, and other innovative elements to drive development, and plays a leading role in boosting the development of surrounding areas.

Innovative cities have well-developed innovative infrastructures, technological and educational resources, industrial and innovative capabilities, vital entrepreneurial levels, open and collaborative innovation levels and green development abilities.

"When taking the innovation function into account, cities can better showcase their real strengths and help improve their comprehensive development," said a researcher from the Institute of Urban and Demographic Studies of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences.