Beijing has moved up four places in the Global Urban Competitiveness Report (2007-2008) issued on Sunday to rank 66th "most competitive." In the 2005-2006 report, the Chinese capital ranked 70th.

Among other Chinese cities, Hong Kong ranked 26th, Shanghai 41st and Shenzhen was 64th, according to the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) report.

New York, London and Tokyo were ranked the three most competitive cities respectively. Seoul, capital of the Republic of Korea, was also ranked within the top 20.

"Our research emphasizes sustainable competitiveness. We hope the report serves as a guide book for local governments," said Professor Peter Carl Krassowski of the U.S.-based Bucknell University, president of the project.

The report was issued at the fifth International Forum of Global Competitive Cities held on Sunday in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province.

It studied 150 global competitive cities, including the 10 most successful cities as a case study, after comparing the comprehensive competitiveness of more than 500 global cities, said Chen Jiagui, CASS director.

CASS issued its first report on global urban competitiveness in 2006.