Abstract:Based on the data of the patent search and analysis platform of the SIPO, characteristics and influence mechanism of innovation connections between Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong and 295 cities in China are explored. The main findings include: (1) The marketization degree of innovation behavior in Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Shenzhen is strong, and enterprises play an important role in the innovation connections; (2) In terms of the scope of cooperation, the scope and intensity of innovation connections between Guangzhou ,Shenzhen and domestic cities are higher than those in Hong Kong; (3) In the choice of partners, scientific research institutions and companies in Guangzhou and Shenzhen prefer to cooperate with high administrative cities; (4) In terms of the connection direction, Guangzhou is more focused on innovation connections within Guangdong Province, while Shenzhen is more inclined to the innovation cooperation with cities outside Guangdong Province; (5) Innovation proximity, industrial proximity, and geographic proximity have a significant impact on the innovation connections between Guangzhou, Shenzhen and domestic cities.Innovation proximity, institutional proximity have a significant impact on the innovation connections between Hong Kong and domestic cities.