Read in Chinese

Speakers:

Mr. Shen Changyu, commissioner of the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) 

Mr. Hu Wenhui, deputy commissioner of the CNIPA 

Mr. Ge Shu, deputy commissioner of the Patent Office and director general of the Strategic Planning Department at the CNIPA 

Mr. Wang Peizhang, director general of the IP Utilization Promotion Department at the CNIPA

Chairperson:

Ms. Xing Huina, deputy director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO

Date:

July 29, 2024

Xing Huina:

Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Welcome to this press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO), as part of the series "Promoting High-Quality Development." Today, we have invited Mr. Shen Changyu, commissioner of the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), to brief you on relevant developments and to take your questions. Also present today are Mr. Hu Wenhui, deputy commissioner of the CNIPA; Mr. Ge Shu, deputy commissioner of the Patent Office and director general of the Strategic Planning Department at the CNIPA; and Mr. Wang Peizhang, director general of the IP Utilization Promotion Department at the CNIPA.

Now, I'll give the floor to Mr. Shen for his introduction.

Shen Changyu:

Thank you. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to friends from the media for their ongoing concern, attention and support for our work on intellectual property (IP) over the years.

IP is a strategic resource for national development and a core element of a country's international competitiveness. Since the beginning of the new era, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has placed greater emphasis on IP work, strengthening the top-level design of IP policies and deepening reforms across the IP field. This approach has led to a series of breakthrough advancements and landmark achievements in IP work, charting a path for IP development with Chinese characteristics and providing strong support for high-quality development. I will now briefly introduce the overall progress in IP reforms and development.

First, in terms of creation, high-value IP has continued to emerge. As of this June, the number of valid domestic invention patents in China reached 4.425 million, with the share of invention patents held by enterprises rising to 72.8%, indicating a surge in corporate innovation. The number of high-value invention patents per 10,000 people reached 12.9, surpassing the national target set in the 14th Five-Year Plan ahead of schedule. The number of valid registered domestic trademarks reached a new record high of 45.909 million.

Second, in terms of application, IP has effectively empowered innovative economic development. The implementation of special actions to promote patent commercialization has been deepened. In the first half of this year, the number of patent transfers and licenses by universities and research institutions across the country increased by 22.2% compared to the previous year, and a batch of high-value patents has accelerated implementation in advanced, intelligent and green industrial scenarios. The added value of patent-intensive industries reached 15.3 trillion yuan, accounting for 12.7% of GDP. From January to May this year, the total import and export value of IP royalties reached 180 billion yuan, representing a year-on-year increase of 14.1%. Exports grew by 17.7%, which was 4.7 percentage points higher than the growth rate of imports.

Third, in terms of protection, IP protection has contributed to creating a top-notch business environment. The newly revised Patent Law and its implementing regulations have been fully implemented, and revision to the Trademark Law has been included in the legislative agenda of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. The Measures for the Protection of Geographical Indication Products and the Regulations for the Registration and Administration of Collective and Certification Marks were issued to strengthen legal safeguards for IP. Progress has been made in establishing rules for data IP protection, with pilot programs launched in 17 provinces and cities to facilitate the circulation and utilization of data elements. The IP protection system has been strengthened, with 25 national-level IP protection demonstration zones being developed to high standards, and approval being granted for the establishment of 115 national-level IP protection centers and rapid rights protection centers. Public satisfaction with IP protection has increased to 82.04 points, setting a new record high.

Fourth, in terms of services, measures have been taken to improve convenience for individuals and enterprises. The IP Public Service Inclusion Project has been implemented, and the Guidelines for Government Services on Intellectual Property Rights was issued to standardize 72 IP administrative services. A total of 60 types of basic IP data have been made available, ensuring maximum data openness. The quality and efficiency of IP examinations have been continuously improved, with the average examination period for invention patents reduced to 15.7 months, with an accuracy rate of 94.2%. The average examination period for trademark registrations has stabilized at four months, with an approval rate of 97.7%, both reaching internationally advanced levels under similar examination systems.

Fifth, in terms of international cooperation, IP protection has actively contributed to high-level opening up. China has engaged deeply in global IP governance under the framework of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and successfully joined the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs and the Marrakesh Treaty on copyright-related rights. China also facilitated the conclusion of the WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge. Institutional exchanges have been further deepened among China, the United States, Europe, Japan and South Korea; BRICS countries; China, Japan and South Korea; China, Mongolia and Russia; China and Central Asia; China and ASEAN; China and EU. Chinese applicants have consistently ranked among the world's leaders in applications under the WIPO's three major systems: PCT international patents, Hague system designs, and Madrid international trademarks. As of this June, valid foreign invention patents and registered trademarks in China reached 919,000 and 2.135 million, respectively, reflecting steady growth. Additionally, mutual recognition and protection have been achieved for 244 Chinese and EU geographical indication (GI) products, with a second batch of 350 products announced, thereby strengthening China-EU economic and trade relations.

Currently, China is in a critical period of transition from major importer of IP to major creator of IP. The IP work is shifting from a focus on quantity to an emphasis on quality. The recently convened third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee made significant arrangements to further deepen reforms across the board, clearly outlining the need to establish an efficient system for the comprehensive management of IP rights. We will earnestly implement these arrangements, continuously enhancing our IP governance capabilities and levels, and better leveraging IP to incentivize overall innovation, promote industrial transformation, optimize the business environment, and facilitate the smooth circulation of both domestic and international markets, making a greater contribution to accelerating the realization of Chinese modernization.

That concludes my introduction. My colleagues and I are now ready to take your questions. Thank you.