BEIJING -- The growth of China's GDP has become more "quality-oriented", as a related quality index has continually risen since 1993, according to a report released Friday by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, a government think tank.

The GDP quality index, which was developed as part of the CAS report, is a theoretical measurement that reflects the "true wealth, sustainable development and social harmony of a country", said Niu Wenyuan, chief editor of the report and consultant for the State Council.

According to Niu, the index measures China's GDP in terms of economic, social, environmental, life and management quality.

China's GDP quality index has risen by 46.5 percent over the past two decades, with an annual growth rate of 2.3 percent, the report said.

The report said the GDP quality index has grown rapidly since 2005 thanks to the implementation of the Scientific Outlook on Development, a guiding socioeconomic ideology of the Communist Party of China.

The report estimated that the index in 2020 will likely be a quarter to one-third higher than that of 2011.

The report also included a "top ten" list of cities with the highest GDP quality, as well as a list of ten regions with the most rapid GDP quality growth, including Ningxia in Northwest China and the southeastern metropolis of Chongqing.