Beijing, September 19 - Focusing on the innovation development trends revealed by WIPO’s Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025, WIPO Office in China (WOC) convened the High-level Roundtable on the GII 2025, bringing together representatives from government agencies, leading universities, and innovative enterprises to read the GII 2025 findings, share insights on the GII and innovation practices, and explore new pathways for integrating intellectual property protection with science and technology innovation.
Ms. LIU Hua, Director of WOC, read a congratulatory message from Assistant Director General Mr. Marco ALEMÁN of WIPO. Mr. Alemán noted that this year's index is more than just numbers; it's a testament to the incredible progress China has made and the potential that lies ahead. Breaking into Top 10, the GII 2025 highlights China's prominent role as a global innovation leader. With 24 innovation clusters in the global Top 100, China is not just a participant in global innovation; it is a frontrunner. The Greater Bay Area, Beijing, Shanghai–Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Nanjing are not just cities; they are innovation hubs that are driving the future of technology and entrepreneurship. The success of China's innovation journey is not only a national achievement but also a valuable contribution to the global innovation ecosystem, serveing as an inspiration for other emerging economies around the world.
Ms. WANG Ying, Deputy Director General of International Cooperation Department, read the statement of Commissioner SHEN Changyu of China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA). Mr. Shen pointed out that China's achievements in the GII 2025 fully demonstrate the new accomplishments made in implementing the innovation-driven development strategy and accelerating the building of a science and technology powerhouse and an intellectual property powerhouse. He emphasized that the Chinese government has always attached great importance to IP work, adhering to the principle that“innovation is the primary driving force for development, and to protect intellectual property is to protect innovation.” Currently, China has become the first country in the world with over 5 million valid domestic invention patents. The number of PCT, Hague and Madrid applications consistently ranks among the top globally. The value added of patent-intensive industries accounts for more than 13% of GDP, and the value of trademark brands remains the second highest in the world.
Mr. HAN Peng, Deputy Director General of the Department 1 of Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), noted that China's entry into GII top 10 demonstrates significant advancement in innovation capabilities. From a science and technology investment perspective, he outlined China's solid innovation foundation: China's total R&D expenditure exceeded 3.6 trillion yuan in 2024, accounting for 2.68% of GDP, with basic research investment reaching 249.7 billion yuan. Multiple indicators, including the number of valid invention patents, rank among world leaders. MOST will deepen cooperation with WIPO in innovation evaluation theories, models, and data to contribute Chinese wisdom to global science and technology innovation.
Mr. Carsten FINK, Chief Economist of WIPO, and Mr. FENG Chujian, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development (CASTED), delivered keynote speeches on global innovation trends and China’s innovation practices, respectively.
In his keynote speech via video, Mr. Fink presented the main findings of GII 2025. He expressed that this year marks a milestone. For the first time, China has entered the global Top ten ranking 10th overall. For third consecutive year, China hosted the greatest number of clusters in the top 100, 24 in total. The Shenzhen - Hong Kong - Guangzhou cluster rose to the very top of the ranking reflecting strong performance, within a new indicator included this year, venture capital deal activity. Beijing ranked 4th and Shanghai - Suzhou 6th, underscoring how China's major hubs are shaping the global innovation landscape.
Mr. Feng noted that China has remained the largest source of PCT applications for consecutive years. China deeply engages in global science and technology governance and cooperation, and actively promotes the international sharing of innovation outcomes. Facing global challenges, all parties should strengthen collaboration and explore new pathways, so as to contribute wisdom and strength to advancing inclusive and sustainable global innovation.
Experience Sharing of the Innovation Cities
Mr. ZHAO Xu, Deputy Director, Coordination Division for the Building of STI Center, Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission and Administrative Commission of Zhongguancun Science Park, stated that Beijing has enhanced its innovation efficiency by integrating the mechanisms for education, science and technology, and talent development. It has advanced the high-level development of the Huairou Comprehensive National Science Center and established new types of R&D institutions to high standards. Guided by scientific and technological innovation, Beijing is leading the development of a modern industrial system, driving the growth of strategic emerging industries and future industries, and accelerating the formation of new quality productive forces.
Ms. JIANG Xia, Deputy Director General, Xi’an Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, emphasized that relying on its rich educational and scientific resources, Xi'an has gathered over 1,400 research institutions and nearly one million professional technicians. By optimizing talent mechanisms and innovating Fintech services, the city continues to drive progress in cutting-edge fields such as aerospace, new materials, and new energy, significantly enhancing its regional innovation capacity.
Mr. ZHANG Guocheng, President, Ningbo Institute of Science and Technology Information and Development Strategy, noted that Ningbo has entered the list of the world's Top 100 Innovation Clusters for the first time, owing to its dynamic private economy and solid manufacturing foundation - with annual R&D investment from large-scale enterprises exceeding 100 billion yuan. By deepening the integration of science, technology and industry, and strengthening the IP system, the contribution of patent-intensive industries to Ningbo's GDP has become significantly higher than the national average.
Experience Sharing of the Universities
Mr. QI Yong, Dean of Jiangsu International IP School, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, stated that China's S&T innovation demonstrates a positive development trend, with concentrated resources facilitating accelerated breakthroughs in critical fields. Taking the Nanjing metropolitan area as an example, he outlined the scaled economies and spillover effects generated by innovation cluster development. He emphasized leveraging IP creation and technological output as core drivers, deploying digitalized, sustainable new infrastructure to promote networked collaboration among regional innovation resources.
Mr. SONG Hefa, Vice Dean of IP School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, pointed out that China's progress in the GII stems from enhanced innovation quality and efficiency, where top policy design, effective government actions, and emphasis on market mechanisms have played a positive role. He emphasized the importance to further elevate IP management capabilities of innovation entities, to cultivate professional workforces, and to accelerate technology commercialization and value creation.
Mr. DANG Jianwei, Vice Dean of Shanghai International IP School, Tongji University, stated that the incorporation of new venture capital indicator reflects a recognition of the complexity inherent in innovation process and an emphasis on market responsiveness. He highlighted that universities should more actively integrate S&T innovation, commercialization of research outcomes, and investment market mechanisms to better serve regional economic development.
Ms. ZHENG Ruqing, Deputy Director, Office of Science and Technology Development, Peking University, introduced Peking University's experiences in S&T development and application, shared measures on transformation of S&T achievements, technology transfer, information management systems, and serving for cross-border markets. She emphasized that innovation index analysis holds significant value for regional development and cooperation.
Ms. XIAO Nan, Head, Foundation Section, Office of Scientific Research and Development, Sun Yat-sen University, stated that GII guide the development directions for innovation entities. Sun Yat-sen University's actively participates in the Greater Bay Area cluster's fundamental research, technological breakthroughs, and industrial transformation systems. Through the mechanisms on promoting S&T innovation, cultivating high-value patents, incentivizing application of work achievements, training technology transfer managers, and enhancing IP management, the university drives deep integration between innovation chains and industrial chains.
Experience Sharing of the Innovative Companies
Mr. GAO Liang, Director of IP Department Beijing Branch, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., highlighted Huawei’s robust investment in R&D, driving value creation through innovation. Through a “dual-wheel drive” innovation mechanism grounded in both technological advancement and customer demand, and IP strategies tailored for business development needs, as well as balanced patent licensing pricing and transparent licensing programs, Huawei accelerates ecosystem development and industrial prosperity with principles of openness, collaboration and mutual benefit.
Mr. HE Chenqi, Vice President, Public Affairs, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence Group, shared the company’s business development journey, its commitment to intellectual property while fostering collaboration with R&D teams and industry stakeholders. He introduced Alibaba Cloud’s open-source community, financing service platform, and integrated large-model ecosystem. He proposed tackling the global challenges through organized innovation and cross-sector collaboration.
Ms. ZHENG Juanjuan, Legal Director of Xiaomi Group, introduced Xiaomi's ongoing enhancement in innovation investments, implementing IP strategies aligned with corporate strategy and major technological breakthroughs. Leveraging WIPO's PCT and Hague Systems, Xiaomi has established a high-quality global network for patent and design protection while actively promoting their commercialization and application. Xiaomi prioritizes IP as a foundation to drive technology accessibility, enabling global consumers to enjoy a better life through new technologies.
Mr. ZHENG Yansong, General Manager, Beijing IP Operation Management Co., Ltd., expressed satisfaction with venture capital's inclusion in the indicators for innovation clusters. He noted that asset management and technology services constitute critical capabilities for innovation clusters, and IP management should contribute to refining innovation index. He advocated for leveraging intermediary agencies as bridges between R&D and industrial applications to accelerate commercialization of scientific achievements, fostering a virtuous cycle with high-quality innovation and investment of venture capitals.
In her concluding remarks, Ms. Liu Hua stated that China’s entry into the top 10 of GII 2025 marks a new milestone in the country’s innovation capability. She described WIPO’s cooperation with China as a model of collaboration between China and international organizations, highlighting the long-term close partnership that has played an active role in promoting global innovation and development.
Ms. Liu pointed out that the global IP landscape is currently shaped by five major trends: the eastward drift of innovation, the continued leadership by developed economies, the rising of digital technologies, the diversified R&D investment, and the accelerated green transformation. Under the protection and support of IP and innovation, how to enable markets to go further and expand larger has become a crucial issue.
Ms. Liu noted that the WIPO Office in China will take the release of the GII 2025 as an opportunity to focus on policy alignment, service promotion, partnership building, and IP empowerment (as a policy tool) in its future work. It will concentrate on cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, green technology, and digital innovation, and work with all stakeholders and partners to build a more open, inclusive, and resilient IP ecosystem, supporting China in playing an even greater role in the global innovation landscape.