Since the adoption of the Strategy of "Invigorating Suzhou by Science and Technology" by the Municipality in 1989, the city's overall economy has benefited greatly and won nationwide recognition. Suzhou and its six satellite cities have been awarded the title of "Advanced City" in carrying out the said strategy by the State Science and Technology Commission, and the city's forty villages and towns the title of "Advanced Village/Town" by the Commission's branch in Jiangsu Province. In 1994, Suzhou was rated No.1 province wide in terms of comprehensive achievements in scientific research and technological application. The industrial sector and the agricultural sector account for 48% and 52% of these achievements respectively, all ranking No.1 in the province.

The city's numerous research institutes, which are generally classified into three levels, provide Suzhou's economy with a talented, well-trained work force and a wealth of research and development capabilities. At the first level, there are ten research units directly under different ministries like Suzhou Electricity Research Center, one State-level Nonmetal Mineral Deep Processing Engineering Center, two key labs at provincial level, four research bases for the development of polyester fiber silk, novelty electric appliances, electric physiological products, special silk and preparations of new types of silk. The second-level institutes comprise of 30 independent research units engaging in the study of fields from embroidery to chemical industry. The 300-odd research units sponsored by local factories belong to the third level.

The number of professionals reached 205 thousand, that is, 12.8% of the city's total employees or 3.14% of the total population. Among the 65 thousand scientists and technicians (7770 with senior professional titles, 42 thousand with middle professional titles), 13 middle-aged or young experts have received the " outstanding contribution" award by the State Council, 62 experts the "outstanding contribution" award at ministerial or provincial level. The special government subsidy has been given to 430 experts. A special foundation has been set up to reward outstanding scientists and technicians, and, to date, 118 outstanding technicians in the industry field have been offered substantial rewards.

The collective hard work of the local technicians has led to mushroom increase of scientific and technological findings which have found broad application in various economic sectors. From 1990 to 1994, scientific and technological achievements winning awards at municipal, provincial and state level hit 895, 346 and 21 respectively. By the end of 1994, the State Patent Office has approved 2244 patents from the 3405 patent application submitted by Suzhou individual technicians and research institutes.

The success of strategy of "Invigorating Suzhou by Science and Technology" is also evident in the emergence and rapid expansion of hi-tech development zones. More than 150 hi-tech products with foreseeable attractive market have been developed in Suzhou "Torch" Hi-tech Zone and Suzhou State Hi-tech Industry Development Zone, creating RMB 7 billion in assets. The 4000-square-metre "Hi-tech Service Center" has attracted 25 research units and private know-how enterprises to engage in research activities. The four "Spark" Hi-tech Concentration Zones located at Changshou, Wujiang, Kunshan and Zhangjiagang have played an important role in the local economic development.

At present, there are about 102 know-how enterprises in Suzhou area, 22% of the province's total. According to the standards set by the Organization of International Economy and Cooperation Development, the proportion of know-how industry in Suzhou's overall industry reaches 13%. It is anticipated that by the end of this century ,the proportion of know-how industry's output in the gross industrial output will hit 20%, and 5% of the city's employees will be technicians.