China's innovation index rises steadily in 2016

The China Innovation Index rose 5.7 percent year-on-year in 2016 to 181.2 points, the statistics authority said Thursday.

The index comprises four sub-indices, which measure innovation environment, input, output and effects, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said in a statement.

The sub-index for the environment rose 4.9 percent, while innovation effects rose 5.2 percent. The sub-indices for input and output rose by 4.8 percent and 7.2 percent.

"Steady growth of the index shows China's progress in implementing innovation-driven development strategy and promoting entrepreneurship and innovation," said Guan Xiaojing, an NBS statistician. "At the same time, China should continue to enhance the innovation in basic research and key technologies to accelerate the building of a national innovation system."