Abstract: Improving county (city) innovation capacity with external S&T resources is an important way in promoting economic and social development at the county level. With introduction of some successful practices and experience for improving county (city) innovation capacity in Dongtai City of Jiangsu Province, the article suggests improving county (city) innovation capacity with external S&T resources is an indispensable approach, “integrating science, trade, industry, and agriculture” is one of the roads for future county and city development, building S&T innovation services system at the county level based on “S&T promoting network”, and encouraging local leading enterprises take part in the global value chain by leveraging international S&T resources. It then recommends establishing county S&T services system based on productivity centers, strengthening policy support and protections of cooperative R&D activities by institutes and counties, and integrating government S&T program projects in county economies.