As artificial intelligence becomes an integral part of society, regions around the world are competing to lead innovation, research and inventions that utilise this technology.
It comes as the 2025 Global Innovation Index, published by the World Intellectual Property Organization, has recognised the South China tech centre of Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou as the world’s top innovation hub.
The region’s success is built on the collaboration between Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Guangzhou, fostering a dynamic innovation ecosystem.
The Index tracks global innovation trends through investment patterns, technological progress, adoption rates and socioeconomic impacts.
China hosts 24 of the 100 leading clusters in the report, which account for around 70 per cent of global patent filings and venture capital activity.
In the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster, technology is woven into everyday life and innovation is embedded in the culture.
Showcasing the scale of Hong Kong’s innovation, ‘A Symphony of Lights’ is a daily light and sound show over Victoria Harbour, starting at 8pm and lasting about 10 minutes.
The show is organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board and is the world’s largest permanent light and sound show, according to Guinness World Records
Showcasing the scale of Hong Kong’s innovation, ‘A Symphony of Lights’ is a daily light and sound show over Victoria Harbour, starting at 8pm and lasting about 10 minutes
The free event features synchronised lights, lasers and searchlights from more than 40 buildings on both the Hong Kong Island and Kowloon sides, set to music broadcast from viewing locations
The free event features synchronised lights, lasers and searchlights from more than 40 buildings on both the Hong Kong Island and Kowloon sides, set to music broadcast from viewing locations.
Best viewing spots include the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront and Avenue of Stars, Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai, or from a harbour cruise.
Shenzen’s transformation from fishing village to tech powerhouse was an intentional move by the Chinese government when it designated the city as its first Special Economic Zone in 1980, offering tax breaks and incentives to spur innovation.
Its status as a hub for creativity only grew after it was named a Unesco Creative City in 2008, with investment funding makerspaces such as the Shenzhen Open Innovation Lab.
In another showcase of impressive innovation, elaborate drone shows are held over Shenzhen Talent Park Bay, including recent record-breaking events.
These shows have celebrated major holidays like the 45th anniversary of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, featuring 12,000 drones and setting Guinness World Records for control and scale.
While these large shows are held for specific occasions, smaller performances may also take place at other times.
Elsewhere on the list, Tokyo-Yokohama was ranked as the second most innovative region in the world.
Elsewhere on the list, Tokyo-Yokohama was ranked as the second most innovative region in the world
Top 10 innovation hubs
1. Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou
2. Tokyo-Yokohama
3. San Jose-San Francisco
4. Beijing
5. Seoul
6. Shanghai-Suzhou
7. New York
8. London
9. Boston-Cambridge
10. Los Angeles
Source: Global Innovation Index
In third place is San Jose-San Francisco, which is home to some of the biggest tech companies in the world.
And Beijing made it to fourth place.
Other US regions that make the list are New York, Boston-Cambridge and Los Angeles, which come in seventh, ninth and tenth place, respectively.
London came in eighth place.
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The world’s most innovative region has a nightly lights and laser show beamed across 43 riverside buildings
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