Based on the data from A-listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen from 2013 to 2023, this paper examined and analyzed the impact and influencing mechanisms of the SRDI policy to improve corporate innovation performance through the difference-in-differences (DID) model with fixed effects. The results indicate that inclusion in the national SRDI list has significantly improved the innovation performance of enterprises, and other factors such as enterprise age and return on total assets also have a positive impact. Firm size, R&D investment and governance structure have played a partial mediating role in the process. Moreover, the SRDI policy has a more pronounced positive effect on innovation performance in non-state-owned enterprises, manufacturing enterprises and enterprises in the eastern and central China, compared to state-owned enterprises, non-manfacturing firms, and those in western regions. Finally, based on the empirical findings, this study recommends further industrial and regional innovation ecosystems, and continuously optimizing the business environment to enhance the innovation performance of SRDI enterprises.