Xiangyang was appraised as an advanced city in science and technology innovation in 2015 by Hubei Provincial Party Committee and provincial government. It has received this honor for six straight years. Fancheng District, Xiangzhou District, Laohekou City and Yicheng City were appraised as the advanced districts and cities in science and technology innovation of Hubei Province.

In 2015, Xiangyang showed added value of high and new technology industries of RMB80.745 billion, 3.3 times that of 2010. The proportion of the added value of high and new technology industries in GDP rose from 15.66% in 2010 to 23.87% in 2015. It has almost formed the development framework of strategic emerging industries leading by new energy automobiles, high-end equipment manufacturing, new generation of IT, new energy and new materials, and biotechnology, etc.