Abstract: The chief object of this paper is to study the inter governmental relations in innovative cities and to explore the ways of government departments using various policy instruments and their combinations. The method used in the study is known as content analysis and social network analysis. By analyzing the typical follow-up policy texts of cities approved in 2018, the interactive social network structure of intergovernmental relations and policy instruments in the construction of innovative cities is gradually clear. It is concluded that science and technology bureau, development and reform Bureau, industry and information technology bureau, Finance Bureau, market supervision and Administration Bureau, agricultural and rural bureau are the core government departments of the interactive social network of intergovernmental relations and policy instruments in the construction of innovative cities. Supply side policy instruments are the most commonly used instruments in the construction of innovative cities. This social network presents an obvious core-periphery structure. There is a social circle composed of 24 government departments and most policy instruments, and there are also some independent cliques outside the social circle. The results of the study can provide useful enlightenment to improve the policy system of innovative city construction, and also can be used as a reference for decision-making of innovative city construction activities.