according to the 2017 global innovation index report (hereinafter referred to as the report) co-published by the world intellectual property organization and other institutions, china’s ranking is up three spots, from 25th to 22nd. within china, shenzhen-hong kong ranked no.2 among the world’s innovation clusters with “digital communication” as its main innovation area, following just behind tokyo-yokohama and triggering widespread attention.
for the first time, the report conducted large-scale data analysis on “intellectual property statistical databases” and ranked hot innovative clusters based on patent filings and innovative activities. the findings show that innovation clusters are scattered worldwide, with most of them located in the eastern united states, europe, china, japan and south korea. the shenzhen-hong kong innovation cluster is listed separately. shenzhen-hong kong, beijing and shanghai all made the list, ranking no.2, no.7 and no.19, respectively.
among innovation clusters, more than half of international patent applicants are located in 30 hotspots across the globe, and major bay regions outperform in the chart. the report shows that shenzhen-hong kong ranked no.2 among the world’s innovation clusters with “digital communication” as its main innovation area, with its number of data communication patents accounting for 41% of the total. shenzhen-hong kong is also a main part of the guangdong-hong kong-macau greater bay area.
tokyo-yokohama shows more diversity in innovation compared with other innovation clusters, with the number of patents for electronics engineering, devices and energy only accounting for 6.3% of the total. san jose-san francisco ranked third, with most innovations in the computer area (accounting for 18.3% of the total patents), and is in the san francisco bay area.
