China’s ascent in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI) innovation is nothing short of remarkable. According to data released by the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), the country now boasts 378,000 effective AI patents, marking an impressive year-on-year growth rate exceeding 40%. This figure is 1.4 times higher than the global average, underscoring China’s aggressive push towards becoming a global leader in AI technology.
Robust Innovation in China’s Digital Economy
In a press conference held in Beijing, CNIPA highlighted the vigorous innovation driving China’s digital economy. Last year alone, core industries within the digital economy contributed a significant 10% to the country’s GDP. Ge Shu, a senior official at CNIPA, revealed that the number of approved invention patents in these core industries reached 406,000 in 2023, accounting for 45% of all patents granted in China. The average annual growth rate over the past five years has been a robust 21%, signifying sustained technological advancements.
Thriving Domestic and International Patent Activity
By the end of 2023, 155,000 domestic enterprises had secured patents related to the digital economy, an increase of 31,000 from the previous year. This surge highlights the growing creativity and innovation within China’s AI sector. Additionally, foreign enterprises are also enhancing their patent portfolios in China’s digital economy. As of late 2023, 93 countries held valid invention patents in China, with the digital product manufacturing sector alone accounting for 61.8% of these patents.
A Fair and Competitive Business Environment
Hu Wenhui, Deputy Head of CNIPA, emphasized China’s commitment to creating a fair and competitive business environment for both domestic and foreign entities. “We’ve always upheld the principle of equally protecting every entity, whether domestic or foreign, to foster a sound business environment with fair competition,” Hu stated. Over 5,000 foreign and joint-venture enterprises have registered at 115 IP protection centers across China, enjoying the same IP-related services as domestic innovators.
Resolving International IP Disputes
Since the beginning of last year, CNIPA has assisted enterprises from countries including the United States, Germany, France, and Italy in resolving IP-related disputes in China. This initiative has been highly praised by international stakeholders, further bolstering confidence in China’s IP protection mechanisms. Hu added that CNIPA has established a regular communication system to address the concerns and needs of foreign enterprises, encouraging them to invest and operate safely in China.
Impressive Metrics in IP Protection
Data released on Monday showed that by the end of June, China had 919,000 valid foreign invention patents and 2.13 million valid registered trademarks, reflecting year-on-year increases of 3.9% and 3.8%, respectively. “These figures demonstrate that foreign enterprises place great importance on our market and have full confidence in our IP protection,” Hu concluded.
China’s relentless pursuit of AI and digital economy innovations continues to set new benchmarks, solidifying its position as a global leader in technological advancement.
Source: Xinhua, CHINA SCIO
