The Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster has claimed the top spot in the World Intellectual Property Organization's (WIPO) 2025 Global Innovation Index, surpassing Tokyo-Yokohama and Silicon Valley. This marks China's first time leading the annual ranking, which evaluates patent filings, scientific research, and venture capital activity.
A Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government spokesperson called the achievement a testament to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area's growing influence in global tech development. "Hong Kong will deepen collaboration with sister cities to advance innovation and contribute to national progress," the spokesperson stated.
Chinese officials highlighted the cluster's consistent performance, having held second place for five consecutive years before this year's breakthrough. Zhang Zhicheng of China's National Intellectual Property Administration noted the ranking reflects "China's dynamic innovation ecosystem," while Science Ministry Vice Minister Chen Jiachang emphasized Hong Kong's unique strengths in research infrastructure and talent acquisition.
The ranking methodology now includes venture capital metrics alongside traditional measures of patent applications and academic publications. Beijing and Seoul rounded out the top five, with China hosting 24 of the world's 100 leading innovation hubs – more than any other country.
This development signals Asia's expanding role in shaping global technological advancement, with the Greater Bay Area emerging as a blueprint for cross-regional collaboration combining mainland China's manufacturing scale with Hong Kong's financial and legal frameworks.
