The Guangdong Provincial Administration for Market Regulation announced on March 30 the release of its 2026 Key Priorities for Intellectual Property Work, setting out a comprehensive roadmap to advance intellectual property (IP) development in support of new quality productive forces and the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area.

 

The plan outlines 61 key tasks across 11 focus areas, targeting improvements in IP creation, utilization, protection, management, services, and international cooperation, and marking a strong start to Guangdong’s IP strategy under the 15th Five-Year Plan.

 

According to the announcement, Guangdong will enhance the overall coordination of IP initiatives, including the high-quality formulation of its 15th Five-Year Plan for IP development and the advancement of a world-class IP powerhouse in the Greater Bay Area through strengthened provincial–ministerial cooperation. Efforts will also focus on implementing IP strategies, developing high-level IP talent programs, and reinforcing performance evaluation systems.

 

To consolidate its innovation advantages, Guangdong will further strengthen key innovation clusters such as Shenzhen–Hong Kong–Guangzhou and Macao–Zhuhai. Measures include promoting international patent overall arrangement under the PCT system, conducting patent navigation in strategic industries, improving rapid-response IP service mechanisms, and expanding international IP service capabilities.

 

The province will also step up support for innovation by enhancing IP creation in key technological fields, refining patent incentive policies, strengthening IP value chains in major industries, and exploring cross-regional patent pre-examination mechanisms. Additional efforts will be made to advance trademark and brand strategies and to tighten regulation of non-compliant IP agency practices.

 

In terms of IP protection, Guangdong aims to foster a first-class business environment by strengthening administrative enforcement, enhancing protection for major events, improving fast-track and coordinated protection mechanisms, and accelerating the development of IP protection institutions. The plan also emphasizes improved dispute resolution, cross-regional enforcement cooperation, and stronger protection for foreign-related IP rights.

 

Looking ahead, Guangdong will deepen IP cooperation within the Greater Bay Area and expand international engagement, including participation in global IP awards, to further promote high-quality IP development.

 

The authority noted that it will continue to implement national and provincial policy directives, ensuring effective execution of the outlined measures and advancing Guangdong’s position as a leading IP hub within a world-class bay area.