World Intellectual Property Organization ranks Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster first globally (with photos)
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A spokesman for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said, "We warmly welcome the innovation cluster ranking published by WIPO, which reflects the high international recognition of the innovative capacity of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). This year, the ranking newly includes the number of venture capital deals as a new metric. With Hong Kong as an international financial centre, and the Mainland and Hong Kong ranking first and second respectively in Asia's venture capital and private equity fund management, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster has excelled at channelling capital to support the translation of innovative ideas into material outcomes.
"Fast-tracking innovation and technology (I&T) development has been a policy priority of this Government. Over the past few years, the Government has rolled out a series of policy initiatives to ensure technology, capital and talent reinforce one another, as well as expediting co-operation and collaboration with our GBA sister cities, to press ahead with the development of Hong Kong into an international I&T centre. In particular, the Government has announced three $10 billion schemes, namely the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme, the New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme, and the Innovation and Technology Industry-Oriented Fund, alongside the Pilot I&T Accelerator Scheme. Moreover, Hong Kong has been supporting the growth of start-ups and is committed to attracting world-class leading enterprises of cutting-edge technology and talent to establish their presence in Hong Kong, in order to enrich our I&T ecosystem. As Asia's premier international financial centre, Hong Kong has been broadening the channels of financing and listing over the past few years, catering specifically to the needs of new economy and tech companies. This facilitates more quality enterprises in raising funds and expanding their businesses in Hong Kong. We have also been nurturing 'patient capital' through the establishment of the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited to guide and leverage market capital to invest in early-stage, small high-tech enterprises on a long-term basis.
"Going forward, Hong Kong will continue to closely collaborate with the GBA sister cities to advance regional I&T development and make greater contributions to building our country as an innovative nation as well as advancing human progress."
The GII Cluster ranking identifies local concentrations of world-class innovation activity using three key metrics: international patent filings via WIPO's Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), scientific publications, and, newly added this year, the number of venture capital deals. In previous editions of the GII Cluster ranking, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster held the second spot for five years in a row.
For this year's ranking, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster ranked first, filed 2 292 Patent Cooperation Treaty applications, published 3 775 scientific articles, and had 135 venture capital deals per 1 million inhabitants over the last five years.
The launch event of the 2025 GII Ranking of World's Top 100 Innovation Clusters, organised by the country and WIPO, was hosted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region today at the Hong Kong Science Park. At the same time in the launch event, two panel discussions joined by leading figures and representatives from Hong Kong and abroad were held, exchanging insights on the GBA's innovation strengths and future potential, as well as the latest I&T developments in other international clusters. An exhibition featuring the I&T achievements of Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Guangzhou was also set up at the venue.
Ends/Monday, September 1, 2025
Issued at HKT 17:22
Issued at HKT 17:22
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