In a significant development for global scientific research, Chinese cities have emerged as dominant players in the latest Nature Index supplement, securing more than half of the top 10 spots in the 2025 rankings. Beijing continues to reign as the world’s leading science city, a position it has maintained since 2016. Shanghai follows closely in second place, while Nanjing, Guangzhou, Wuhan, and Hangzhou also feature prominently in the top 10. The United States is represented by the New York, Boston, San Francisco Bay, and Baltimore-Washington metropolitan areas. The rankings, compiled by an organization linked to Springer Nature, are based on contributions to 145 high-quality natural and health science journals tracked by the Nature Index database. Chinese cities excel in chemistry, physical sciences, and Earth and environmental sciences, with Beijing leading in all three categories. In biological sciences, Western cities dominate, with New York and Boston taking the top spots, while Beijing ranks third. Health sciences see US cities claiming half of the top 10 positions, with Beijing securing sixth place. Hangzhou, home to tech giants like Alibaba and DeepSeek, has made significant strides, advancing three spots to enter the top 10. The city has established robust support mechanisms for basic research, including a joint fund with the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Wuhan, another rising star, has climbed to eighth place, driven by its thriving high-tech sector and substantial investment in research and development. Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Yin Hejun emphasized the pivotal role of sci-tech innovation in catalyzing new industries and growth drivers. Experts highlight that China’s growing influence in global innovation is reshaping the landscape, with cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou becoming critical nodes in the global innovation network.