BEIJING, March 26 -- China's overall competitiveness in Asia moved up to ninth place last year from 10th in 2012, a new report showed on Wednesday.

The improvement was partly attributed to rising innovation capabilities and progress in social causes, according to the Asia Competitiveness Report released by secretariat of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA).

The Chinese government took measures to promote disease control, combat environmental pollution, improve housing and medical environments and intensify anti-corruption efforts, the report said.

The BFA secretariat tracked 37 economies in Asia.

Singapore continued to top the list for 2013, followed by the Republic of Korea and Hong Kong.

As a non-governmental and non-profit international organization founded in 2001, the BFA is dedicated to promote regional economic integration and bring Asian countries closer to their development goals.