Xing Huina:

Please continue to raise your hands to ask questions. 

Bauhinia Magazine:

With the advancement of rural vitalization, all local governments have attached greater importance to the cultivation of the geographical indication industry and have actively created local specialty products. What has the CNIPA done to strengthen the protection and use of geographical indications? What are your future considerations? Thank you.

Shen Changyu:

Thanks for your questions. We will have Mr. Hu Wenhui answer these questions.

Hu Wenhui:

Thanks to Mr. Shen. Thanks to Bauhinia Magazine for their questions. Geographical indications are an important type of intellectual property and a crucial support for the development of industries with distinctive local features. In recent years, the CNIPA has comprehensively advanced the protection and application of geographical indications, effectively helping all localities make good use of "local specialties," and promoting regional economic and ecological development. The latest data shows that in 2023, the direct output value of China's geographical indications reached 960 billion yuan, achieving four consecutive increases. Among them, the annual output value of 131 geographical indication products and 408 geographical indication trademarks from key counties receiving national assistance for rural vitalization reached 9.7 billion yuan. Focusing on using geographical indications to contribute to rural vitalization and economic development with distinctive regional features, we have mainly carried out work in the following four aspects.

First, we have consolidated institutional guarantees. We have formulated and implemented a set of measures for the protection of geographical indication products and regulations on the registration and administration of collective trademarks and certification marks. We have also issued a notice on using geographical indications to support rural vitalization and refined related policy system, providing institutional guarantees for the high-quality development of geographical indications.

Second, we have carried out strict protection and management. We have mobilized all localities to strengthen the regulation of geographical indications, launched special campaigns to severely crack down on infringement and counterfeiting, purifying the market environment. We have implemented geographical indication protection projects, supported all localities to strengthen quality control in production areas, ensured the quality and features of geographical indications and have effectively enhanced the market competitiveness of geographical indication products.

Third, we have strengthened the application guidance. We have implemented projects for promoting the use of geographical indications and have selected 220 geographical indications in two batches nationwide, including them in the key list of guidance for promoting the use of geographical indications and thus giving more support to the cause. We have selected typical cases of geographical indications supporting rural vitalization and have promoted relevant experience.

Fourth, we have deepened international cooperation. We have continued to promote the mutual recognition and protection of geographical indications between China and EU, China and France as well as China and Thailand, promoting more Chinese geographical indication products abroad to enhance international popularity. As an example, wines from the eastern foothills of Helan Mountain, which have been included in the list of geographical indication products for mutual recognition and protection between China and the EU, were exported to more than 40 countries and regions in 2023, being sold not only in the Southeast Asian market but also in traditional wine markets such as France and Switzerland, with sales steadily increasing.

In the next step, we will further strengthen work with geographical indications, continue to improve the geographical indication system, and build national demonstration zones for the protection of geographical indication products with high standards. We will also vigorously use geographical indications to contribute to rural vitalization and promote the integration of geographical indications with the development of industries with distinctive local features, ecological conservation, inheritance of history and culture, rural vitalization and opening up, so as to better achieve the goal of "making good use of geographical indications to drive the development of industries and increase incomes of local people." Thank you.