Shenzhen is a city born for innovation. From issuing China's first stock to striking the "first hammer" in China's land auction, Shenzhen has, since the early days of the Special Economic Zone, taken the lead in breaking through old concepts and spreading new ideas, blazing a trail for China's reform, development and innovation with one "first" after another. Now, in a period of transformational development, Shenzhen has introduced the "Regulations of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone on the National Independent Innovation Demonstration Zone" and launched the "Ten Major Action Plans" to drive innovation. Once again, through innovation, it has achieved a remarkable transformation, emerging as a pioneer of innovation-driven development under China's "New Normal" economy, and is widely recognized as a "City of Makers" and a "City of Innovation". Shenzhen's capacity for innovation has been growing steadily. Major scientific and technological infrastructure projects such as the Phase II of the National Supercomputing Shenzhen Center, the Synthetic Biology Research Facility, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Research Facility, and the Free Electron Laser Facility — either under construction or already built — have become important engines driving scientific and technological innovation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The city has established one national laboratory, 20 State Key Laboratories, and four Guangdong Provincial Laboratories. It has been approved to build six national innovation centers and is home to over 4,000 innovation platforms of various types [1]. Major scientific and innovation platforms, such as the Guangming Science City and the Hetao Mathematics and Interdisciplinary Sciences Research Institute, are being accelerated. Emerging industries have become key growth poles. In 2025, the added value of strategic emerging industries reached RMB 1.67 trillion, accounting for 43% of the city's GDP, with artificial intelligence and robotics emerging as new pillar industries, supported by a value chain of over 70,000 enterprises and core industry revenues of nearly RMB 270 billion [2].
Innovative industries continue to grow. The city has fostered 1,333 specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative “Little Giant” enterprises and over 26,000 national high-tech enterprises, ranking first among all Chinese cities in both categories[3]. In Shenzhen, a comprehensive support system has been established for the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements. More than 4,000 innovation platforms across the city cover multiple stages, including proof of concept, small-scale trials, pilot testing, engineering, and industrialization. For example, at Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, innovative achievements in fields such as artificial intelligence, new materials, and new energy are being commercialized in large numbers; at the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, cutting-edge technologies are being integrated into industrial applications; and at the Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, cutting-edge achievements in biomedicine are being incubated and implemented, propelling the life sciences and health industry toward high-quality development [4].
Shenzhen's comprehensive innovation ecosystem continues to improve. In 2025, the Shenzhen Administration for Market Regulation facilitated the city's selection as one of China's first pilot zones for optimizing the business environment in intellectual property and for integrated IP finance reform. The Peking University International School of Intellectual Property was established in Shenzhen, the expedited patent pre-examination scope expanded to four fields, and pre-examination services now cover Hong Kong-based innovators. Shenzhen has led the nation in PCT international patent applications for 22 consecutive years[1].
The city has also introduced "36 Measures" to strengthen IP protection, explored the establishment of a dedicated IP administrative body, inaugurated the Shenzhen Intellectual Property Court, and received approval to establish the China (Southern) Intellectual Property Operation Center. The Nanshan Intellectual Property Protection Center has been completed and put into operation, and efforts to build a National Intellectual Property Demonstration City have accelerated. An Angel Investment Guidance Fund and an IP pledge financing risk compensation fund have been set up. Shenzhen has formulated and implemented talent regulations, taken the lead in establishing a "Talent Day," built a Talent Park, and established a wholly state-owned talent group[5].
China High-Tech Fair (CHTF) – approved by the State Council and jointly organized by the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the China National Intellectual Property Administration, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government – is renowned as “China’s No.1 Technology Exhibition”. It is the largest and most influential technology fair in China. Since its debut in Shenzhen in 1999, it has been successfully held for 27 sessions. The 28th CHTF is scheduled to take place from November 26 to 28, 2026 at the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center (Bao’an), with an exhibition area of approximately 400,000 square meters. It is expected to attract over 5,000 renowned enterprises and international organizations from more than 100 countries and regions.
China High-Tech Fair (CHTF) – approved by the State Council and jointly organized by the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the China National Intellectual Property Administration, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government – is renowned as “China’s No.1 Technology Exhibition”. It is the largest and most influential technology fair in China. Since its debut in Shenzhen in 1999, it has been successfully held for 27 sessions. The 28th CHTF is scheduled to take place from November 26 to 28, 2026 at the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center (Bao’an), with an exhibition area of approximately 400,000 square meters. It is expected to attract over 5,000 renowned enterprises and international organizations from more than 100 countries and regions.
BGI-Shenzhen (formerly known as "Shenzhen Genomics Institute of BGI"), established in 2007, was originally named Shenzhen BGI Genomics Institute. In 2017, it was officially recognized by the Shenzhen Municipal Government as one of the first ten fundamental research institutions. As the core research arm of the BGI Group, BGI-Shenzhen focuses on genomics, multi-omics technologies, and bio‑big data analytics. It owns proprietary sequencing platforms, synthesis systems, and spatiotemporal omics technologies, and was a participant in the Human Genome Project's “1% Project”. The institute is dedicated to multi‑omics research and development in life sciences, biotechnology, and medical applications.
BGI-Shenzhen (formerly known as "Shenzhen Genomics Institute of BGI"), established in 2007, was originally named Shenzhen BGI Genomics Institute. In 2017, it was officially recognized by the Shenzhen Municipal Government as one of the first ten fundamental research institutions. As the core research arm of the BGI Group, BGI-Shenzhen focuses on genomics, multi-omics technologies, and bio‑big data analytics. It owns proprietary sequencing platforms, synthesis systems, and spatiotemporal omics technologies, and was a participant in the Human Genome Project's “1% Project”. The institute is dedicated to multi‑omics research and development in life sciences, biotechnology, and medical applications.
SIAT was jointly established in Shenzhen in 2006 by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Shenzhen Municipal Government, and The Chinese University of Hong Kong. As of March 2025, the institute has a total of 4,935 personnel (2,612 employees and 2,323 students). It has over 300 joint innovation teams, 8 Guangdong provincial platforms for international science and technology cooperation, and has established 448 international exchange and cooperation projects with 52 countries (regions).
SIAT was jointly established in Shenzhen in 2006 by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Shenzhen Municipal Government, and The Chinese University of Hong Kong. As of March 2025, the institute has a total of 4,935 personnel (2,612 employees and 2,323 students). It has over 300 joint innovation teams, 8 Guangdong provincial platforms for international science and technology cooperation, and has established 448 international exchange and cooperation projects with 52 countries (regions).
Shenzhen Kuang-Chi Institute of Advanced Technology is a new-type research institution in the field of metamaterials in China. It serves as the supporting unit of the State Key Laboratory of Metamaterial Electromagnetic Modulation Technology under the Ministry of Science and Technology, and constitutes an important part of China's scientific and technological forces driving the national innovation-driven development strategy. Since its establishment, the Institute has focused on fundamental research on metamaterials for super-performance electromagnetic modulation capabilities. Closely centering on the application directions of metamaterials, it has established a complete industrial chain for metamaterials, successfully advancing metamaterials from "laboratory research" to "industrial application". It has achieved the world's first large-scale production of metamaterials and their comprehensive application in China's advanced equipment sectors, leading the innovative development of metamaterials technology, and placing China's research and application of metamaterials at the forefront internationally.
Shenzhen Kuang-Chi Institute of Advanced Technology is a new-type research institution in the field of metamaterials in China. It serves as the supporting unit of the State Key Laboratory of Metamaterial Electromagnetic Modulation Technology under the Ministry of Science and Technology, and constitutes an important part of China's scientific and technological forces driving the national innovation-driven development strategy. Since its establishment, the Institute has focused on fundamental research on metamaterials for super-performance electromagnetic modulation capabilities. Closely centering on the application directions of metamaterials, it has established a complete industrial chain for metamaterials, successfully advancing metamaterials from "laboratory research" to "industrial application". It has achieved the world's first large-scale production of metamaterials and their comprehensive application in China's advanced equipment sectors, leading the innovative development of metamaterials technology, and placing China's research and application of metamaterials at the forefront internationally.
National Supercomputing Center in Shenzhen (Shenzhen Cloud Computing Center) , hereinafter referred to as Shenzhen Supercomputing Center, is one of the first batch of national supercomputing centers approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology in May 2009, and the first such center in South-Central China. It is a major technological innovation platform deployed by the state in Guangdong Province during the 11th Five-Year Plan period, and is a key project of the National 863 Program, as well as a major project of Guangdong Province and Shenzhen Municipality. Phase I of the Center is located in the Xili Lake International Science and Education City, the core area of Shenzhen's sci-tech innovation ecosystem, with a total floor area of 43,400 square meters, and is equipped with a world-class supercomputer system. To date, the Center has served over 30,000 user teams and completed more than 30 million computing tasks, forming significant strengths and advantages in multiple application fields such as materials science, meteorology, and life and health sciences.
National Supercomputing Center in Shenzhen (Shenzhen Cloud Computing Center) , hereinafter referred to as Shenzhen Supercomputing Center, is one of the first batch of national supercomputing centers approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology in May 2009, and the first such center in South-Central China. It is a major technological innovation platform deployed by the state in Guangdong Province during the 11th Five-Year Plan period, and is a key project of the National 863 Program, as well as a major project of Guangdong Province and Shenzhen Municipality. Phase I of the Center is located in the Xili Lake International Science and Education City, the core area of Shenzhen's sci-tech innovation ecosystem, with a total floor area of 43,400 square meters, and is equipped with a world-class supercomputer system. To date, the Center has served over 30,000 user teams and completed more than 30 million computing tasks, forming significant strengths and advantages in multiple application fields such as materials science, meteorology, and life and health sciences.
The Qianhai Shenzhen-Hongkong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub is jointly established by the Qianhai Authority, the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, and the Shenzhen Youth Federation, and is operated by Shenzhen Qianhai Dream Factory Operation Co., Ltd. The Dream Factory focuses on key industries prioritized by Hong Kong, such as artificial intelligence, embodied AI, and life and health sciences, striving to become the "first stop," "preferred destination," and "place for dreams to come true" for Hong Kong youth to innovate, start businesses, and seek employment on the mainland, as well as for high-quality mainland sci-tech enterprises to expand into Hong Kong.
The Qianhai Shenzhen-Hongkong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub is jointly established by the Qianhai Authority, the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, and the Shenzhen Youth Federation, and is operated by Shenzhen Qianhai Dream Factory Operation Co., Ltd. The Dream Factory focuses on key industries prioritized by Hong Kong, such as artificial intelligence, embodied AI, and life and health sciences, striving to become the "first stop," "preferred destination," and "place for dreams to come true" for Hong Kong youth to innovate, start businesses, and seek employment on the mainland, as well as for high-quality mainland sci-tech enterprises to expand into Hong Kong.