On September 16, 2025, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) released the Global Innovation Index 2025 report, in which China climbed to 10th place globally, marking its first entry into the top ten. China continues to lead among upper-middle-income economies and has advanced 25 places since 2013, reflecting the notable achievements of the country's innovation-driven development strategy and its ongoing efforts to build a strong technological and intellectual property ecosystem.
The report evaluates the innovation ecosystems of 139 global economies across two pillars—innovation input and output—using seven key dimensions, 21 sub-indicators, and 78 individual metrics. China performed strongly in innovation output, rising to 5th worldwide, while also improving in innovation input, where it now ranks 19th.
China leads globally in several key IP-related metrics, including industrial design and utility model patent applications, trademark filings per unit of GDP, and the share of creative goods exports in total trade. It also ranks second in inventions per unit of GDP, the development of industrial clusters, and business-funded R expenditure.
With 24 clusters among the world's top 100, China now has the highest number of leading innovation hubs worldwide. The Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster rose to first place globally for the first time, while Beijing (4th) and Shanghai-Suzhou (6th) also ranked within the top ten, underscoring these regions as major centers for patent applications, technological innovation, and venture investment.
Additionally, the total value of Chinese brands reached $1.81 trillion, maintaining the country’s position as the second most valuable brand economy globally. The report further highlighted China's growing presence in high-tech exports and global value chains, particularly in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and green technologies.
These results demonstrate China's systematic progress in intellectual property creation and utilization, signaling its steady emergence as a key player in the global innovation landscape.
Source: CNIPA Website