Using 2010~2022 data from China’s Shanghai/Shenzhen A-share listed firms, this study explores how internationalization geodiversity affects the dual innovation of Chinese firms based on the perspective of geographic relationships. The results show that: ①the increase of R&D internationalization geodiversity boosts firms’ exploratory innovation, but exhibits inverted U-shape effects on exploitative innovation; ②technological diversification positively moderates the effect of R&D internationalization geodiversity on exploratory innovation, with no significant effect on exploitative innovation; ③the IPRs by home countries positively moderate the effect of R&D internationalization geodiversity on enhancing exploratory innovation and strengthen its inverted U-shaped link with exploitative innovation; ④increased R&D internationalization geodiversity drives firms to adopt balanced exploratory-exploitative innovation strategies.