Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone (WEDZ) saw a remarkable surge in innovation in 2025, with a 27.4 percent increase in invention patent approvals, totaling 3,418.
Enterprises have been at the forefront of this growth, securing 3,265 patents — a 35 percent increase from the previous year — and accounting for 95.5 percent of the total approvals.
Industry leaders Dongfeng Motor Corporation and Voyah Auto contributed significantly, with over 1,000 and 700 patents respectively, representing more than half of the district's total patent approvals.
Meanwhile, Jianghan University secured 141 patents, and companies such as China Electronics Cloud exceeded the 100-patent mark, reflecting rapid advancements in the digital economy.
The quality of patents has also improved. By the end of 2025, WEDZ boasted over 14,000 invention patents, with more than 190 patents per 10,000 residents. High-value invention patents exceeded 4,500, with 62 per 10,000 residents, a 31.9 percent year-on-year increase.
The automotive and auto parts industry remains the cornerstone of the district's innovation landscape, with nearly 9,400 related patents, accounting for about two-thirds of the total. Patents in the new energy and intelligent connected vehicle sectors surpassed 3,600, representing over one quarter of all patents.
Modern service industries — including smart home technology, intelligent construction, and software and information technology — contributed over 4,000 patents.
A local official emphasized the commitment to advancing intellectual property creation, protection, and utilization services, with a focus on transforming core patents and utilizing geographical indication trademarks to drive industrial transformation and upgrading.
