Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou Cluster Tops Global Innovation Index 2025 Rankings

World Intellectual Property Organization ranks Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster first globally

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) published the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025 top 100 innovation clusters today (September 1), among which the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster ranks first globally.

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.

Source: AI-found images

World Intellectual Property Organization ranks Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster first globally Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

World Intellectual Property Organization ranks Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster first globally Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

World Intellectual Property Organization ranks Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster first globally Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

World Intellectual Property Organization ranks Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster first globally Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Source: AI-found images

FSD and BD conduct joint inspection and enforcement operation against industrial buildings

In response to earlier media reports on fire safety issues in certain industrial buildings, the Fire Services Department (FSD) and the Buildings Department (BD) are highly concerned about the situation and conducted a joint inspection and enforcement operation targeting industrial buildings from December 29 to 31, 2025, with a view to ensuring public safety.

An industrial building in Kwun Tong, Photo by Bastille Post

The FSD and the BD inspected a total of nine industrial buildings located in various districts in Kowloon and the New Territories during the joint operation. The fire personnel identified a total of 261 irregularities related to various fire hazards, such as obstruction or locking of means of escape, defective or wedged-open smoke stop doors, as well as fire service installations or equipment (FSIs) that were defective or not in efficient working order. The FSD took immediate enforcement action against the persons concerned.

An industrial building in Kwun Tong, Photo by Bastille Post

Among the cases related to obstruction of means of escape, the FSD instituted three prosecutions and issued 22 Fire Hazard Abatement Notices (FHANs), requiring the persons concerned to abate the fire hazards within a specified period. Should they fail to comply with the requirements of the FHANs within the period, the FSD will institute resolute prosecution. In addition, inspections revealed that some buildings had defective smoke stop doors and FSIs. The FSD will issue FHANs to the persons concerned and continue to take follow-up action.

The Buildings Department (BD), Photo source: reference image

The BD identified 13 subdivided flats suspected of being used illegally for domestic purposes. Further investigations are now under way, and letters have been sent to the relevant owners and occupiers asking them to contact the BD as soon as possible to arrange an inspection of their flats. Otherwise, the BD will consider applying for a court warrant to enter the premises for inspection. If it is confirmed that the flats in question have been used for illegal domestic purposes, the BD will take enforcement action in accordance with the Buildings Ordinance, including ordering the cessation of illegal domestic use and rectify the dangerous situations. The BD also identified in the operation that there was dilapidation in the exit staircases of one of the industrial buildings, but no obvious danger to the overall building structure was noted. The BD has issued a repair order to the owners' corporation for conducting the necessary repair work.

The Fire Services Department (FSD), Photo source: reference image

Apart from inspection and enforcement, the FSD also carried out fire prevention education and publicity at the same time during the operation to enhance fire safety awareness among owners and occupiers of industrial buildings, thereby mitigating fire risk from the source. The BD has also long been promoting building safety and the proper use of buildings through various channels, including distributing themed posters to management offices of industrial buildings for displaying in prominent places to serve as a reminder to owners and occupiers that industrial buildings must not be used illegally for domestic purposes.