China‘s Innovation Economy Surging, Driven by Broad-Based Growth and Strong IP Commitment: WIPO Expert
China’s innovation performance has demonstrated consistent growth, outpacing much of the world, according to a recent interview with a World Intellectual Property Association (WIPO) expert. This rise isn’t limited to a single sector, but is “broad-based,” encompassing areas like digital communications, renewable energy, batteries, electric vehicles, and biosciences.
The WIPO’s Global Innovation Index (GII) assesses overall economic innovation, rather than focusing on specific technologies. The expert noted the difficulty in pinpointing singular areas of greatest growth, highlighting China’s established strength in digital communications alongside burgeoning innovation in other key fields.
A key driver of this growth is China’s increasing commitment to intellectual property (IP). The expert emphasized the crucial role IP plays in fostering innovation, pointing to a rising trend of Chinese companies filing patents across diverse sectors, a trend reflected in WIPO data.
The 2025 GII reveals China’s leadership in innovation clusters, with 24 ranked among the world’s top 100. The Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster has risen to the number one position globally, while Beijing (4th) and the Shanghai-Suzhou cluster (6th) also secure spots within the top ten, serving as major hubs for patent applications, technological advancement, and venture capital investment.
The WIPO expert has personally visited over ten Chinese cities,including major centers like Beijing,Shanghai,and shenzhen,and also western cities such as Chengdu and Chongqing,observing a strong commitment to innovation and the emergence of new enterprises.
China’s economic development strategy prioritizes innovation, supported by substantial investment in scientific systems, education, and talent development. This focus is foundational to the country’s expanding innovation ecosystem. The expert also highlighted the importance of long-term policy commitment, noting China’s ongoing transition from its 14th to 15th Five-Year Plan, and the role of national planning in nurturing the institutions necessary for sustained innovation.
