The Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou area was named the world’s leading science and technology (S&T) cluster, overtaking Tokyo-Yokohama to claim the top spot in the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)’s latest top 100 S&T cluster ranking.
WIPO on Monday announced the results of the ranking, which pinpoints geographical areas that are centers of the most vibrant scientific and inventive activity around the world.
The ranking, part of the broader Global Innovation Index set for release in mid-September, has been traditionally based on its two key metrics: international patent filings and scientific publications. This year, the number of venture capital deals was added as a third indicator, which can reflect how scientific and technological knowledge in the areas translates into startup creation and products in the marketplace, according to the United Nations body.
After holding second place for five consecutive years, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster outperformed Tokyo-Yokohama for the first time, thanks in part of its stronger showing in venture capital activity.
The two clusters are major contributors to global science and technology, together accounting for nearly one in every five Patent Cooperation Treaty applications worldwide, said the WIPO.
San Jose-San Francisco climbed three spots to third place, while Beijing ranked fourth. Other leading clusters in the top 10 include Seoul (5th), New York City (7th) and Boston-Cambridge (9th).
ALSO READ: Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster set to lead global innovation
China, for the third year running, leads all economies in the number of clusters featured in the top 100, with 24 — including Shanghai-Suzhou (6th), Hangzhou (13th) and Nanjing (15th) — followed by the United States with 22 clusters.
