The Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster has all the elements required to retain its top spot in a to-be-released global innovation index, Hong Kong’s finance chief Paul Chan Mo-po wrote in his blog on Sunday.

The World Intellectual Property Organization is due to unveil its latest Global Innovation Index rankings at an event in Hong Kong on Monday.

Last year, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster came second on the list of the global top 100 science and technology clusters for the fifth year in a row. Four of the world’s top 10 sci-tech clusters were located in China, and the world’s second-largest economy boasted the highest numbers of clusters – 26 – in the top 100 for the second consecutive year.

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“With continued investment and deepening collaboration across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, I’m confident this year’s ranking will be even more impressive,” Chan said.

The index is based on the numbers of inventors and researchers in clusters, as well as the number of articles published and patents filed.

This year, venture capital activity has been added as a new metric to reflect the vibrancy of a region’s innovation and investment ecosystem and its role in driving technological advancement, according to Chan.

The Geneva-based United Nations agency will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government on Monday, enabling the city’s judiciary to contribute landmark intellectual property rulings to the WIPO Lex Judgments database.

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This global repository, comprising over 2,200 cases from more than 40 jurisdictions, serves as a vital reference for legal professionals, IP holders, innovators and researchers, and fosters international collaboration in IP protection.

Hong Kong’s participation, Chan points out, helps the world to better understand its legal system and make innovators and investors more confident in choosing the SAR.

The Greater Bay Area’s high ranking is not just a matter of numbers. In Chan’s view, it reflects the quantitative achievements -- patent filings, research output and the dynamism of venture capital all paint a vivid picture of a region surging ahead in innovation.

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Beyond the numbers lies a deeper story of quality. “The strength of the region’s universities and research institutions, its magnetic pull for global talent, and the confidence of capital markets in backing ideas and people -- all these reflect a mature and thriving innovation ecosystem,” Chan said.

Under such an ecosystem, Hong Kong’s tech scene is thriving. Last year, the number of local startups hit a record high of 4,700 -- up 10 percent from the previous year. About 20 unicorns have been nurtured at the Science Park and Cyberport so far.

Contact the writer at sophialuo@chinadailyhk.com