The 14th China Intellectual Property Annual Conference Opens in Beijing

On September 11, the 14th China Intellectual Property Annual Conference, themed “Intellectual Property in the Digital Era,” opened in Beijing. Shen Changyu, Commissioner of the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), Li Zhongjun, Vice Governor of Jiangsu Province, and Grigory Ivliev, President of the Eurasian Patent Office (EAPO), attended the opening ceremony and delivered remarks. Daren Tang, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), sent a congratulatory letter to the conference. The opening ceremony was presided over by Hu Wenhui, Deputy Commissioner of CNIPA.

Shen Changyu noted that we have entered a digital age characterized by “everything connected, computation everywhere.” China attaches great importance to the development of the digital economy and technological innovation. President Xi Jinping has emphasized the need to leverage China’s vast data resources and rich application scenarios, promote the deep integration of digital technologies with the real economy, and continuously strengthen, optimize, and expand China’s digital economy. The development of the digital economy relies on the support of key and core technologies, and the digital era is driving changes in the intellectual property system. CNIPA has actively adapted to the times, continuously improving the IP protection system for new fields and new business forms such as big data and artificial intelligence, while also using digital technologies to enhance the efficiency of IP governance. He expressed hope that participants will deepen exchanges and cooperation around the theme of the conference, promoting mutual empowerment, co-evolution, and integrated development of digital technology and intellectual property.

In his congratulatory letter, Daren Tang pointed out that the global industrial economy is in a period of transformation, entering an era driven by intellectual property. Many countries are increasing investment in the digital and creative economies, and digital innovation is becoming an engine for industrial development. China has continuously increased investment in innovation and has made significant progress in cutting-edge technologies such as generative artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and cloud infrastructure. WIPO is willing to work with all parties to foster a spirit of innovation and make intellectual property a catalyst for the future development of humanity.

Li Zhongjun stated that Jiangsu has always regarded intellectual property as an important safeguard for innovation-driven development, striving to promote the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation, and to accelerate the development of new quality productive forces. In the future, Jiangsu will further serve as a “springboard” for the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation, focusing on improving the efficiency of IP governance, and creating a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized. Jiangsu will provide a “Jiangsu solution” and make a “Jiangsu contribution” to better leverage the dual role of intellectual property as both institutional and technological support in the digital era.

Grigory Ivliev emphasized that broad international relations help deepen practical cooperation in various fields and build a shared space of peace, stability, mutual trust, and development across the Eurasian continent. The eight member states of the EAPO have actively engaged in IP cooperation with China through a multi-tiered system and are willing to elevate this cooperation to a higher level. The EAPO will continue to work closely with its member states and international partners to promote the continuous development of the Eurasian patent system, making it more reliable, efficient, and user-friendly.

Distinguished guests from government agencies, academia, and the business community delivered keynote speeches. The conference attracted more than 8,000 participants, including the head of WIPO’s China Office, responsible officials from relevant departments of CNIPA, heads of IP administrations from various provinces and municipalities, representatives of foreign embassies and consulates in China, foreign-related organizations, domestic and foreign enterprises, and IP service agencies.

Prior to the opening ceremony, Chinese and foreign guests visited and experienced AI-powered digital interactions and matchmaking activities related to patents, trademarks, and geographical indications. The conference features one main forum and twelve sub-forums, where participants will focus on hot topics in intellectual property. Concurrent events such as roadshows and competitions will also be held, providing a platform for the industry to showcase the latest achievements and deepen exchanges and cooperation.