The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is steadily advancing its development as an international science and technology innovation hub, fueling emerging and future industries and supporting the growth of 10 industrial clusters each worth more than 1 trillion yuan.
A media event themed "Vibrant China Research Tour" started in Guangdong on June 29, spotlighting the region's progress in science and technology innovation.
The Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou science and technology cluster ranked first globally in the 2025 Global Innovation Index. The GBA is now home to 69,000 high-tech enterprises.
In 2025, Guangdong's R&D spending reached 535 billion yuan. The province also continued to lead China in R&D personnel, high-tech enterprises, valid invention patents, and international patent applications filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
Guangdong remains a major manufacturing powerhouse. In 2025, the province had 76,000 industrial enterprises above designated size, the highest number in China. Advanced manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing grew by 5.1% and 6.2%, respectively, accounting for 56.2% and 34.7% of the province's industrial output.
The province is accelerating the development of emerging and future industries, including artificial intelligence, robotics, the low-altitude economy, commercial aerospace, and bio-manufacturing. Drone production rose by 39%, accounting for more than 90% of China's total output. Companies such as DJI and XAG have expanded rapidly in the low-altitude economy, helping Chinese consumer and industrial drones secure about 70% and 40% of the global market, respectively.
Major research platforms are also strengthening the area's innovation capacity. Peng Cheng Laboratory and Guangzhou Laboratory operate alongside 26 national key laboratories and 35 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao joint laboratories, forming a comprehensive laboratory network across the GBA.
Innovation cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao continues to deepen. More than 600 million yuan in provincial research funding has been allocated to Hong Kong and Macao. Major cooperation platforms, including the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone, Guangzhou's Nansha District, and the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, are advancing rapidly.
Fifteen unicorn companies with Hong Kong backgrounds have established headquarters in Guangdong, while more than 260 Guangdong companies are listed in Hong Kong. The three regions also jointly host the Greater Bay Area Science Forum, further leveraging Hong Kong and Macao's roles as bridges connecting the GBA with global innovation networks.
Reporter & Photo: Dai Bosi
