Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Guangzhou have jointly claimed the number one spot in the 2025 Global Innovation Index (GII), leapfrogging Japan’s Tokyo-Yokohama cluster to become the world’s leading hubs for research and development, multiple media outlets report.
The index, compiled by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), evaluates urban clusters based on international patent filings, scientific publications and – new this year – venture capital activity. Initial results were revealed Monday, though a more detailed report is due to be released on 16 September.
Carsten Fink, WIPO’s chief economist, noted that the Chinese cluster stood out for its vibrant venture capital scene and strong cross-fertilisation between its cities.
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“Hong Kong is particularly well-known for its excellent scientific institutions and its universities; a lot of the patenting that emerges out of company research development activities originates from companies in Shenzhen,” he said. “There are many examples of scientific projects in Hong Kong that led to start-up creations in Shenzhen.”
This was the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster’s first time in the top slot of the GII, which ranks the world’s 100 leading innovation clusters. It has ranked second in the four consecutive years from 2020.
China is home to 24 innovation clusters featured in the GII, making it the country with the most. The US follows with 22, and Germany comes in third with 7.
