Chinese cities lead global tech innovation study

The China (Beijing) Attractions Expo is held from March 17-19. [File Photo: IC]

Research undertaken by experts at KPMG has revealed the astonishing growth – and future potential – of Chinese cities as centres of technological innovation.

The Changing Landscape of Disruptive Technologies is an annual study undertaken by the firm, based on a survey of more than 750 global technology industry leaders.

According to KPMG, these include start-up entrepreneurs as well as FORTUNE 500 executives.

The findings demonstrate that a number of Chinese cities, led by Shanghai and Beijing, are true global tech hubs.

One of the questions in the survey was:

"In addition to Silicon Valley / San Francisco, which three cities will be seen as a leading technology innovation hub over the next four years?"

Respondents could enter up to three answers.

Shanghai was the number one answer entered by the technology industry leaders, gaining 25 percent of responses globally and 38 percent in China.

In total, there were four Chinese cities in the top 15, and two in the top five.

Beijing was in fifth position globally, (tied with Singapore), with Hong Kong and Shenzhen tied in fifteenth.

Tokyo, London and New York were in second, third and fourth positions respectively.