Chengdu: From Regional Ascendance to Integrating a Regional Innovation Ecosystem

Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, is one of China’s 15 sub-provincial cities. Strategically located on the western edge of the Sichuan Basin, Chengdu spans an area of 14,335 square kilometers. It serves as the commercial logistics center and a comprehensive transportation hub for western China (Zou and Sirisuk, 023). Its position at the geographic center of southwest China provides it with significant geographical advantages. Situated at the midpoint of the Eurasian route, Chengdu boasts a vast market in central and western China (Cheshmehzangi, A., & Tang, T. (2022a). China’s city cluster development in the race to carbon neutrality. Singapore: Springer Nature.).