The China National Inter-Ministerial Conference Office (IMCO) for the Construction of an IP Powerhouse Nation recently debuted the Progress Report for the Construction of an IP Powerhouse Country 2023. "The Report indicates since the enactment and implementation of the Outline on the Construction of an IP Powerhouse Nation (2021-2035) and the National Plan on Protection and Use of IP during the 14th Five-Year Plan Period, localities and agencies have been giving concrete efforts and making significant progress," IMCO's Deputy Director Zhao Zhibin outlined.

"The Report was prepared by the IMCO along with the participating agencies with an aim to exhibit the outcomes harvested during the construction of an IP powerhouse nation and objectively evaluate the status quo of the construction," Zhao elaborated, adding that moving toward the target for the construction of an IP powerhouse country set by the said Outline and the Plan has been going well; the Index for China's Construction of an IP Powerhouse Nation has been gaining momentum, hitting 120.0 reading points in 2023, registering a 9.6% annual average growth rate over the baseline value of 2021.

"The construction has been running steadily across the board with some outstanding advancements accomplished in the process: breakthroughs of IP creations in key sectors or industries, big leaps in IP governance system and capability, unprecedented attention lent to IP discipline construction and cultural cultivation, growing IP awareness of the public," Yi Jiming, Director of International IP Research Center of Peking University assessed the progress, believing that the construction is still in the ascent stage with a great need in elevating the capacity of IP creation and use, particularly enhancing using IP to leverage industrialized economy and international trade.

Index reflecting trend

"The Index for China's Construction of an IP Powerhouse Nation is designed to reflect the performance of the construction at the national level. It mainly evaluates the progress and results of the construction over time and hints the status quo and trend of the construction in the form of a composite index," Bai Jianfeng, head of the organization responsible for preparing the evaluation section of the Report - IP Development Research Center under China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), explained the nature of the Index, adding that the 2023 figure climbs to 120.0 reading points, up 3.8 points over the previous year, thanks mostly to marked growth in three categories, IP system, public service, human and social environment, which gives proof that the foundation for the Chinese IP development has been further solidified, an essential groundwork for meeting the construction target.

"A composite index is an important method to analyze and study developments and changes of an object from a macro and holistic point of view. The Index for China's Construction of an IP Powerhouse Nation studies the development trend of the construction from six angles and with 69 indicators, producing objective, holistic and accurate results that have great referencing value," Xuan Zhaohui, Director, Institute of Science and Technology Foresight and Statistics, Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development further elaborated, adding that high points and fast growth of IP public service, IP human and social environment indicates China's IP planning and quality is having great room for upgrade.

Speeding up construction

According to the Report, IP's role as a national development strategic resource and a core element for international competition is becoming more prominent. Speeding up the construction of an IP powerhouse nation in the new era and during the new journey requires us to master the IP work's role in supporting holistic innovation, constructing high-standard market system, inspiring high-level opening up and guarding national security while sticking to the road of IP development with Chinese characteristics and advancing the construction at a higher degree and a higher level.

Regarding this, Yi believed "The key to advancing the construction at a higher degree, higher stance, higher level is enhancing IP legal protection. In addition, more shall be done to advance technological innovation and patent commercialization to shape a healthy development system for efficient running of IP creation and use."

Looking forward to the future, China will speed up the construction of an IP powerhouse nation and support the building of a modern socialist country in all respects.