(Yicai Global) Oct. 29 -- Chinese cities performed strongly in a knowledge competitiveness ranking, taking five slots among the top 10, state media The Paper reported.

Singapore ranked first in knowledge competitiveness in Asia-Pacific, followed by Seoul and Tokyo, according to the Asia-Pacific Knowledge Competitiveness Index issued at the Pujiang Innovation Forum today.

The index accesses 19 indicators of 53 leading regions in the Asia-Pacific area, reflecting their capacity to translate knowledge capital into economic value and wealth. Compiled by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, it has appeared each year since 2010.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region took fourth place, and Shanghai fifth. Zhejiang province, the eastern megacity of Tianjin and Jiangsu province all made this year's top 20 rankings.

Several Chinese regions upped their knowledge competitiveness since last year, with Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces moving up 11 and six spots respectively, said Prof. Luo Shougui, chief expert for the index and on the faculty of Antai College of Economics and Management of Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

Tibet, Yunnan, Anhui, Henan, Hainan and Guizhou all entered the top 10 in rate of economic activity, Luo also noted, while Hainan and Gansu provinces ranked third and sixth respectively in employment.

Editor: Ben Armour