News Overview
In the “2025 Global Innovation Cluster Ranking” released by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), 24 clusters from China were listed, marking the highest number worldwide for the third consecutive year. According to Du Yu, spokesperson and Deputy Director of the General Office of the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), this achievement is “the result of strong national emphasis, expanded investment, improved legal frameworks, and the continuous enhancement of innovation capabilities across enterprises, universities, and research institutions.”
Scale of R&D Investment and International Comparison
In 2024, China’s R&D expenditure reached 3.6 trillion yuan, an 8.3% increase year-on-year. With R&D accounting for 2.68% of GDP, China surpassed the EU average and maintained its position as the world’s second-largest R&D nation after the United States. The depth of this investment is more than numbers—it forms the “soil for sustained technological innovation” spanning industries, universities, and research institutions.
Improving the Intellectual Property Protection Environment
Public satisfaction with intellectual property protection in China reached a record high score of 82.36. Strengthening patent protection not only improves domestic systems but also builds international credibility. Emphasizing the “quality” and “practical application” of IP will be key to future technology exports and global collaboration.
Enterprises and Universities as Innovation Drivers
China holds 5.01 million valid invention patents domestically, of which 3.72 million belong to enterprises. While companies are leading R&D efforts, universities and research institutions are also applying results in line with industrial needs. Patent transfers and license registrations have reached a cumulative total of 127,000 cases, accelerating the “dynamic utilization” of intellectual property.
Case of a Leading Regional Cluster: Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area
The Shenzhen–Hong Kong–Guangzhou cluster accounts for 12.1% of invention patent applications and 27.5% of PCT international patent applications, leading the country overall. It is becoming an international “knowledge hub” where high-tech enterprises and talent converge. The fact that WIPO announced the ranking in Hong Kong further symbolizes the region’s growing influence.
Future Outlook and International Implications
China’s innovation cluster strategy has the potential not only to drive domestic economic growth but also to reshape the global innovation landscape. Beyond competition with the United States and Europe, it can be seen as laying the foundation for an Asia-led innovation trend.
In particular, the rise of Chinese-led international standards and technical norms in fields such as green technology, smart manufacturing, and AI is likely to have a profound impact on the global industrial order.