Prioritize Innovation Capability and Spatial Variation of National High-Tech Zones in China Based on the Catastrophe Progression Method

This research aims to prioritize innovation capability and spatial variation of national hightech zones in China based on the catastrophe progression method.The first step is to establish a feasible index system for assessing the innovation capability of high-tech zones; after that, it is to Evaluate the innovation capability of 169 national high-tech zones in China using the Entropy Weight Method (EWM) and the Catastrophe Progression Method (CPM), then use the weighted average method to convert the innovation capability evaluation results of 169 high-tech zones into values for each province's high-tech zones in China.The last step utilizes visualization tools for spatial variation analysis.The research results found that a comprehensive innovation capability evaluation system has been constructed, consisting of levels 1, 2, and 3, which have 4, 8, and 28 indicators, respectively.The evaluation results reveal that prioritizing provinces regarding innovation capability and spatial variation of high-tech zones for the top three are 1) Beijing, 2) Shanghai, and 3) Guangdong.At the same time, the bottom three are 167) Hainan, 168) Qinghai, and 169) Ningxia.From the priority and using the visualization, results indicate that High-tech zones in eastern China found that (Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangdong) have significantly higher innovation capabilities than those in central and western regions due to richer resources, advanced infrastructure, and more substantial policy support.Central regions (Wuhan, Hefei) also show high capabilities from recent investments and government support, while western areas generally lag, needing improved infrastructure, increased investment, and more substantial policy support.