The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) released its 2026 Global Innovation Index report on September 8, unveiling the top 100 science and technology innovation clusters worldwide. According to the findings, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster has once again secured the number one position, maintaining its leadership as the world's premier innovation hub for a second straight year.
As the core innovation engine of the Greater Bay Area, Guangzhou has consistently strengthened its intellectual property-driven urban brand development, focusing on building a comprehensive IP ecosystem that spans creation, application, protection, management, and services. In terms of institutional leadership, the city pioneered the issuance of a landmark IP development outline document at the municipal party committee and government level, becoming the first in the province to do so. Key measures include the formal implementation of the Guangzhou Patent Protection and Promotion Regulations, revisions to the Guangzhou Intellectual Property Special Fund Management Measures, and the release of a patent quality enhancement implementation plan—all designed to fortify the city's IP institutional foundation.
During the first half of 2026, Guangzhou recorded 217,400 valid invention patents and 2.674 million valid registered trademarks. PCT international patent applications reached 791 filings, reflecting a 4.9% year-on-year growth rate that outpaces both the national and provincial averages. The city has adopted a tailored approach to support key innovators, implementing a "one enterprise, one policy" strategy to assist major innovation entities with international patent filings. Local authorities have also conducted thorough assessments of patent cultivation challenges, facilitated connections with international resources, and helped enterprises reduce the risks and costs associated with overseas patent portfolio development. Regular training sessions on overseas patent cultivation and strategic placement have been organized, with 8,324 companies now operating under national IP standards and 50 recognized as national IP demonstration enterprises. Additionally, Guangzhou has opened fast-track channels through the ASEAN Patent Examination Cooperation procedure and the Patent Prosecution Highway, accelerating the timeline for innovators to secure foreign patent grants.
Guangzhou Development District serves as a prime example of this progress. As the nation's first pilot zone for comprehensive IP utilization and protection reform, the district has established the largest IP insurance fund pool in the country, complemented by a full-chain service system. By the end of June 2026, overseas IP infringement liability insurance in the district had covered more than 515 enterprises, with total premiums reaching 115 million yuan and overall coverage surpassing 1.175 billion yuan. In terms of premium scale, coverage value, and the number of claims settled, the district leads the nation across all three metrics. The district also hosts a wide range of IP professional institutions focused on trademarks and patents, ensuring seamless coverage across judicial, administrative, and collaborative protection channels. It has innovated with three new mechanisms: an expedited administrative adjudication procedure, a confirmation-of-non-infringement administrative adjudication process, and special injunctive powers through administrative rulings.
Guangzhou has deepened cross-border collaboration with Hong Kong and Macao, achieving nationwide firsts in mutual recognition of cross-border IP enforcement evidence—an accomplishment recognized with a first-place award in Guangdong Province's "Pioneer Cup" work innovation competition. The city's innovative overseas protection initiatives have also been featured in the Rule of Law Blue Book: China's Rule of Law Development Report. In another pioneering move, Guangzhou issued the nation's first administrative guidance opinion confirming non-infringement, effectively resolving issues arising from malicious rights enforcement attempts. The city continues to enhance its public IP service infrastructure, with 89 municipal-level service points now operational, alongside five Technology and Innovation Support Centers and five university-based national IP information service centers. Guangdong Province's first international IP service hall has been established in the city, attracting 43 high-quality IP service providers from various countries and regions, further strengthening the domestic framework for handling foreign-related IP matters.
In April 2026, Guangzhou joined the WIPO GREEN City Acceleration Project, becoming the first sub-provincial city in China to participate in this green technology initiative. The project has already attracted participation from leading green technology demand-side enterprises such as China Southern Power Grid, GAC Group, and Kingfa Technology, as well as research institutions including South China University of Technology and the Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, creating an efficient dynamic between supply and demand sides. In 2026, the city organized high-standard Greater Bay Area sub-forum events to broaden its regional and international IP influence. Currently, Guangzhou's IP professional workforce numbers approximately 55,000 individuals, and the Greater Bay Area International IP Talent Hub, now fully operational, has trained close to 1,000 practical professionals. The Guangzhou IP public service platform aggregates over 168 million global patent records and 88 industry-specific databases, serving more than 3,000 innovative entities.
Looking ahead, Guangzhou intends to prioritize quality enhancement and strategic precision, advancing the WIPO GREEN City Acceleration Project while consolidating the leading position of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster. These efforts are aimed at providing robust intellectual property support and safeguards for innovators expanding into international markets.