Innovation pays huge dividends

A few years ago, they were not as big as telecom-equipment provider Huawei Technologies Co and Internet giant Tencent Holdings Ltd, which had already helped build Shenzhen into a global player driven by innovation.

Among the hundreds of startups proliferating in Shenzhen, two minnows which have now become big fish are Royole Corporation, an electronic equipment maker, and DJI Technology Co, a producer of civilian drones.

These two firms, which were initially housed in small and extremely basic offices in the outskirts of Shenzhen, have now developed into industry leaders thanks to persistent and increased investment in innovation over years of development.