IP Empowers Sangzhi, Hunan in Building Poverty Alleviation Sample

December 18, 2020

On December 15 to 17, Ms. Liu Hua, Director of the WIPO Office in China (WOC), Mr. Bai Guangqing, Director General, International Cooperation Department, China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) and Mr. Zhu Xingguo, Director General of Poverty Alleviation Office, CNIPA visited Sangzhi County, the National Poverty-stricken County, in Hunan Province and conducted study visit on the effective use of intellectual property (IP) for targeted poverty alleviation. Ms. Liu delivered a keynote speech following the introduction of Mr. Bai and Mr. Zhao Yunhai, head of Sangzhi County.

Ms. Liu stated that WIPO noted with appreciation that China has made remarkable achievements in IP protection and promotion. On November 30, Chinese President Xi Jinping made comprehensive, in-depth and important remarks on strengthening IPR protection, stressing that IPR protection relates to the modernization of China’s governance system and capacity, high-quality development, people’s happiness, the overall situation of the country’s opening up to the outside world and national security. China will deeply participate in the global IPR governance within the framework of WIPO.

In the area of geographical indications (GIs), China and the European Union signed the Agreement on GIs Protection and Cooperation on September 14. The list of mutual recognition included Cangxi Red Kiwi Fruit, Jingning Apple, Fangxian Black Fungus, Anhua Dark Tea, Huishui Black Glutinous Rice Wine, Macheng Chrysanthemum Tea and other GI products. It will increase the added value of high-quality Chinese GI products and help them going global, which is conducive to poverty alleviation and income increase, and will provide new growth impetus to poverty-stricken areas.

Ms. Liu said that Mr. Daren Tang, Director General of WIPO, laid out that WIPO will work towards the construction of an inclusive, balanced, vibrant and forward-looking global IP ecosystem. It must help the world broaden its perspective of IP as a supporter of entrepreneurs and enterprises, a catalyst of investments, a driver of economic growth and a promoter of social vibrancy. As a specialized agency in IP of the UN with universality, representation and authority, WIPO remains committed to leveraging IP for development. CNIPA and Sangzhi County have given full play of IP in developing Geographical Indication products, for example, Reed Leaves and Sangzhi White Tea, generating revenues for poverty-stricken people, enabling local industries involved in poverty alleviation to register higher quality and enhanced efficiency, which could be regarded as best practices on promoting development through IP.

Ms. Liu also shared the latest development of the Lisbon System for the International Registration of Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications administered by WIPO. On February 26, the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications has officially entered into force. It allows now the international registration of GIs in addition to appellations of origin through a single registration procedure with WIPO. On November 2 and 3, the third session of the Lisbon Working Group on the Development of the Lisbon System was held in Geneva. Mr. Tang highlighted the importance of GIs as a “key branding tool” and a “mark of quality and authenticity”. Mr. Tang also underlined the important role of the Lisbon System in facilitating the successful commercialization of origin-based quality products in domestic and foreign markets.

Ms. Liu believed that Sangzhi County, with the purpose of ‘Brand Building, Industry Development and Income Generation’, building a quality- and development-oriented model was of great significance to poverty alleviation. Going beyond the method of poverty alleviation through policy, education and investment, the CNIPA and the Sangzhi County have given full play to the advantage of IP in sustainable development, poverty alleviation and rural revitalization.

Ms. Liu said that WIPO had noted with appreciation the successful story of China in poverty alleviation through IP and hoped China would share its experiences with the world, especially the developing countries. Building upon the existing success, Sangzhi County should continue to promote targeted poverty alleviation through the use of IP, among others, from GI concept to IP perspective, from industrial property rights to cultural and creative industry, tourism, and etc., in order to build the Sample of Sangzhi.

Ms. Liu met with Mr. Ouyang Bin, Deputy Mayor of Zhangjiajie City and visited Kanghua Industry Co. Ltd. and Hunan Xiangfeng Sangzhi White Tea Co. Ltd. during the study visit.