A Historic Milestone in Innovation

In a stunning development, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster has officially claimed the title of the world's leading innovation hub, knocking Japan's prestigious "Tokyo-Yokohama" off its throne for the first time. This announcement was made by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) as part of their "Global Innovation Index 2025" report published on September 1st.

China's Dominance in Innovation

This significant achievement places the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster at the top of the global innovation rankings after having held the second spot for five consecutive years from 2020 to 2024. Notably, China now boasts an impressive five out of the top fifteen innovation clusters worldwide.

The report revealed that innovation clusters are spread across 33 economies, with China contributing the largest number (24), followed by the United States with 22, while Germany, India, and the UK lagging with 7 and 4 respectively.

Key Factors Driving Success

A closer look into the ranking metrics reveals that the inclusion of the "venture capital transaction volume" indicator in 2025 played a pivotal role in the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster's ascension. In 2024 alone, Guangzhou hosted an astounding 315 investment events, raking in over 20 billion yuan, making up more than one-third of the total investment in the innovation cluster.

The Power of Private Enterprises

Shenzhen's growth can be attributed largely to its powerful private sector, with the leading enterprises, such as Huawei and Tencent, significantly boosting R&D and patent applications. Remarkably, Shenzhen has held the top spot in PCT international patent applications for an impressive 21 consecutive years.

Guangzhou: The Research Powerhouse

Meanwhile, Guangzhou has earned its reputation as a cornerstone of scientific research, contributing a staggering 70,843 research papers in 2024, which was a 10.86% increase from the previous year. Home to 84 universities and numerous national innovation platforms, Guangzhou's vibrant high-tech ecosystem adds substantial value to the innovation landscape.

Hong Kong: The Financial Bedrock

Hong Kong's status as a global financial center provides essential funding, propelling innovations in this thriving cluster. With its capital market rebounding strongly—53 new stock listings in just the first half of 2024—Hong Kong is leading the way in venture capital, greatly enhancing the cluster's global standing.

The Future Looks Bright

With such cooperative efforts and an unwavering focus on R&D, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou trio is set to redefine the future of innovation. As they continue to nurture their unique strengths, this collaboration not only highlights their individual contributions but also emphasizes the power of working together to achieve unprecedented success on a global scale.