The World Intellectual Property Organization ranked Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou No. 1 among the world's 100 largest innovation clusters for a second consecutive year, ahead of the full Global Innovation Index 2026 publication scheduled for September 29. Tokyo-Yokohama remained No. 2, followed by San Jose-San Francisco, with the top three unchanged from 2025. WIPO's cluster ranking measures the absolute geographic concentration of PCT international patent applications, scientific publications and venture capital activity rather than the competitiveness of administrative cities. China led with 25 clusters and the United States followed with 20, together accounting for 45% of the top 100. Japan placed three clusters in the ranking: Tokyo-Yokohama at No. 2, Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto at No. 11 and Nagoya at No. 29. Ningde recorded the biggest rise, advancing 24 places to No. 75 as patent applications, scientific publications and venture capital transactions increased.