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The Global Innovation Index (GII) - an annual innovation report published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)- reveals that all five top science and technology clusters are in East Asia with three in China. When the rankings extend to top 100, China is the country with the most clusters. Looking into these results, representatives of the Chinese government and innovators gathered around a high-level roundtable to share wisdom on growing with innovation in the context of significant changes in the world and boosting IP protection and development.
In his pre- recorded congratulatory video to the event, Assistant Director General of WIPO Marco Aleman said: "Creating world- class clusters is among the most daunting aspect of building emerging innovation ecosystems and related innovation policies. China has done extremely well in the WIPO GII innovation ranking over the last decade. China now has three among the world's top five biggest science and technology clusters. I want to mention these highlights that lend emphasis to the strong Chinese innovation ecosystem."
China's brilliant performance for another yea
Science and technology clusters are among the most critical components for the innovation performance of any economy. Since 2017, the WIPO has selected top 100 clusters from over 130 economies each year through the analysis of patent- filing activity and scientific article publication. The science and technology clusters are one element in the larger GII, which exhibits innovation performance of economies and takes the pulse of the most recent trends in global innovation.
Tokyo-Yokohama leads as the largest global S&T cluster, followed by Shenzhen- Hong Kong- Guangzhou, Seoul, China's Beijing and Shanghai- Suzhou clusters. Nanjing, Wuhan, Hangzhou and other geographical areas also join the top 100 club, solidifying China's position as the country with the highest number of clusters and marking China's palpable upgrade in IP comprehensive strength and S&T innovation power.
Zhang Guangjun, Vice Minister of Ministry of Science and Technology said that China has been propelling coordinated development of Beijing- Tianjin- Hebei, development of Yangtze River Economic Belt, Yangtze River Delta group development and supporting the build-up of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Great Bay Area into internationally influential S&T innovation hubs. An expansive, multi-level, regional innovation map has been primarily shaped. China is willing to work with international organizations including the WIPO and other countries to tackle the great global challenges with innovative ideas, methods and results, and boost IP creation, use, protection, administration and service.
Parties cultivate an innovation eco-system together
The boom of the Chinese S&T clusters is a result of contribution from both government authorities and innovators like enterprises, universities and research institutes. At the roundtable, participants focused on such group efforts in cultivating a well- oiled innovation eco- system and shared their proven experience and best practice.
Liu Hua, Director of the WIPO Office in China said that performing profound exchange and collaboration has been trending among global S&T clusters. Global S&T clusters exemplify an open innovation culture characterized by collaboration and sharing. This reflects the central role of cooperation and sharing in S&T innovation, emphasizing that these clusters are interconnected "communities" rather than isolated entities.
Shanghai-Suzhou cluster epitomizes China's efforts in boosting integrated development of S&T clusters. Zhang Qiao, Vice Mayor of Suzhou said that since Suzhou and Shanghai merged into one cluster, Shanghai-Suzhou cluster ascends from 6th in 2022 to 5th this year, thanks in no smart part to Suzhou's proactive integration into Shanghai and beyond. In the future, Suzhou will potently prop up efficient trans- regional flow of innovation elements in the Yangtze Delta area, open it door wider, heighten IP protection, boost IP protection's profound integration with industrial system and S&T innovation system and cultivate an environment for doing business compatible with the international practice.
Enterprises are behind the S&T innovation of the clusters. At the roundtable, representatives from Huawei, Xiaomi, Raycan and other tech enterprises shared their success in standard setting, patent protection and talent programs. All of them believed in investing more in R&D, intensifying IP protection and doing their share for cultivating a top- notched innovation eco-system.
Facing the future, China will continue to be a determined defender, important participant and active builder of international IP norms, integrate into the global innovation network in a more open manner and promote the construction and development of the global IP eco-system.(by Xue Peiwen)
（Editor Liu Shan）
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