<p>This paper provides a comprehensive reflection on the evolution of globalization research in the Pearl River Delta (PRD), considering the current international context and national strategies. It identifies several challenges in existing studies, such as the ambiguity of globalization patterns and the insufficient representativeness of key indicators. In response to these challenges, this paper draws upon the theory of strategic coupling to propose a new theoretical framework for analyzing globalization in latecomer regions. Based on the concepts of spatial stickiness and locational advantages, this paper further develops a two-dimensional quantitative indicator matrix. Using the PRD as a case study, it conducts empirical measurements and analysis, leading to three main conclusions. First, the theory of strategic coupling proves well-suited for analyzing the globalization of latecomer regions, exemplified by the PRD. It offers a more systematic, clearer, and more robust explanatory framework compared to traditional measurement methods. Second, the empirical analysis from the PRD reveals that the pattern of regional globalization does not follow a simple linear growth or cyclical model. Instead, it exhibits a circuitous, complex, and upward spiral, unfolding along an S-shaped evolutionary trajectory. Third, through comparisons of the eastern and western shores, as well as segmented city analyses, this study finds that locational advantages significantly shape the evolutionary pattern of globalization. This influence is not only apparent during the region’s initial take-off phase but also plays a more profound role in shaping its subsequent developmental trajectory. This study makes a distinctive contribution to both the theoretical understanding of globalization in latecomer regions and the practical field of regional economic development in China. Additionally, it introduces a novel measurement approach for studying regional globalization.</p>