Series of High-Level Roundtables 2021 – First Session for Academics and Business Leaders

January 16, 2021

On January 13, 2021, the WIPO Office in China (WOC) invited around 30 distinguished leaders from academics, such as Peking University, Tsinghua University, and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, business including Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., Alibaba Group, Tencent Holdings Ltd., and Baidu, Inc., and associations such as Boao Forum for Asia, China Association of Inventions, Copyright Society of China to the first session of its series of High-Level Roundtables 2021. Ms. Liu Hua, Director of the WOC gave a briefing on the WOC’s work plan and priorities for 2021.

Looking back, Ms. Liu pointed out that the WOC has achieved the following accomplishments.

First, the WOC has maintained excellent cooperative relationship with all Chinese stakeholders. In particular, the High-Level Roundtable on the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2020 drew together the heads or high-level officials of State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) of China, China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), National Copyright Administration of China (NCAC), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and more.

Second, the WOC has been promoting WIPO’s global IP services and products. According to CNIPA, applications filed via the PCT and the Madrid System by Chinese applicants grew by 20% and 25% year-on-year as of October 2020, respectively.

Third, the WOC has intensively participated in many major events with global, regional and national influence in China, including the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), China International Import Expo (CIIE), and the Guangdong-Hongkong-Macao Greater Bay Area IP Trade Expo, so as to enhance the support of local partners.

Fourth, the WOC has innovated its social-media activities, started to provide bilingual news items as well as articles that introduced WIPO and its global IP services, and worked closely with the media so as to improve the awareness of IP and the visibility of WIPO and the WOC’s activities.

Ms. Liu said that WIPO sees great future in China’s innovation, creation and IP undertakings.

China retains its 14th position in the GII 2020 rankings, and maintains its world leadership in several indicators including patents by origin, utility models, trademarks, industrial designs, the quality of universities and the number of top science and technology clusters.

Chinese President Xi Jinping made comprehensive and in-depth remarks on strengthening IPR protection, saying that China will deeply participate in the global IPR governance within the framework of WIPO.

With the amended Chinese Patent Law and Copyright Law entering into force on June 1, 2021, the way for China to access the Hague Agreement and to ratify the Marrakesh Treaty will be significantly paved.

The signing of the China-EU bilateral agreement on the protection of geographical indications (GIs) will further raise public awareness of the importance of GIs in China.

The Overall Plan for Beijing Pilot Free Trade Zone allows foreign arbitration institutions to provide arbitration services within the Zone, and the detailed plan for comprehensive pilot reforms to be implemented in Shenzhen identifies measures and projects to enhance the environment for innovation and the protection of IP.

These updates and developments will bring new impetus to the cooperation between WIPO and China.

Ms. Liu also shared that WIPO Director General Mr. Daren Tang has outlined the vision for WIPO going forward once he took office on October 1, 2020. WIPO will work towards the construction of an inclusive, balanced, vibrant and forward-looking global IP ecosystem that serves the interests of all countries and their stakeholders. Along with this vision, Mr. Tang further put forward three cross-collaboration initiatives, i.e., IP and health, IP and climate change, and IP commercialization, when planning for WIPO’s work priorities in 2021.

Ms. Liu said that the WOC will continuously and consistently strengthen the strategic cooperation and coordination with the Host Country, secure the effective use of WIPO’s global IP services and products and seize the opportunities of China's economic development.

Continue to seek policy support from the Host Country by attending major international or domestic events in China, offering advisory opinions as invited and providing analytical assessment on the current trends and developments in China’s IP undertakings to WIPO headquarters, promote WIPO’s global IP services and products in China by connecting the media, markets and major stakeholders, and enhance the awareness of IPR protection by focusing on new technologies, new champions of emerging industries and new generations.

Continue to prioritize Northern, Eastern and Southern China with Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou at the core, as well as explore cooperative opportunities with and give due regard to Central, Southwestern and Northeastern China.

Looking into 2021, Ms. Liu stressed that the WOC's work will be centered on four aspects as follows.

First, the WOC will continue to closely follow the process of China’s accession to the Hague Agreement and ratification to the Marrakesh Treaty, and promote greater visibility of the Hague System, the Marrakesh Treaty, the Lisbon System and the Singapore Treaty.

Second, the WOC will participate in China’s major events with global, regional and national influence in China to promote WIPO’s global IP services and products, including the CIFTIS and the Zhongguancun Forum held in Beijing, the CIIE and the Shanghai International IP Forum held in Shanghai, Boao Forum for Asia, Business of IP Asia Forum, Guangdong-Hongkong-Macao Greater Bay Area IP Trade Expo, China International Patent Fair held in Dalian, China International Design Expo held in Wuxi, and International Copyright Expo, and promote the set-up of WIPO arbitration and mediation services in Beijing and Guangdong;

Third, the WOC will promote WIPO’s platforms, including Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC), WIPO GREEN, WIPO Re:Search, WIPO Academy and etc.;

Fourth, the WOC will connect all stakeholders in China including government officials, academics, enterprises and the general public, deepening the strategic cooperation, thus providing more targeted, more timely and higher-quality service in China.

Representatives from academics, business and associations provided suggestions on priorities and projects with the WOC in 2021.

Mr. Li Baodong, Secretary-General of Boao Forum for Asia attended the Roundtable and spoke about China’s great emphasis on technological innovation and intellectual property (IP) protection. During the 25th Group Study Session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that IP protection is important in promoting the technological innovation, economic and social development. Scientific and technological innovation has been a primary driving force for China over the 40 years since its reform and opening up. Therefore, an increasing awareness of IP protection will bring great change to economic development. WIPO plays an essential role in the protection of patents, copyright, trademarks and geographical indications so as the WOC's role in bridging the needs between WIPO, the HQ and the stakeholders in the Chinese market. Boao Forum for Asia is willing to continue working with WIPO in areas such as health, technological innovation, and international security.

Mr. Peng Binge, Chairman of Taihe Institute, said that as a representative of the think tank community, Taihe Institute is committed to providing the basis for decision-making on China's development, with the mission of "gathering global elites and seeking common values". Serving as a linkage among WIPO, think tanks and enterprises, Taihe Institute is willing to provide full intellectual support to the work of WIPO/WOC and jointly promote the development of intellectual property in China.

Mr. Yao Weihao, Director of the Office of Science and Technology Development of Peking University, said that the new era has given more missions and expectations for people working in the field of IP. The Chinese government has reached an unprecedented level in promoting IP rights and protection. Peking University has the responsibility to support and provide information dissimilation, policy advocacy and recommendations, and aims to build a favorable environment for IP undertakings. Peking University is willing to strengthen its cooperation with WIPO/WOC by jointly conducting research and designing courses on IP, organizing high-level forums, and discussing issues of IP on health, environment protection, achievement transformation, and capacity building.

Ms. Wang Yan, Director of the Office of Technology Transfer of Tsinghua University, said that WIPO provides an important platform in training international talents. Tsinghua University hopes to work closely with WIPO/WOC on IP development in the fields of health, climate and sustainable development, and to promote innovation and the transformation of IP achievements.

Mr. Su Wang, Vice President of JD.com, Inc., pointed out that IP protection is an important national strategy, and as a large enterprise, JD.com should take the initiative to assume the social responsibility of IP protection. The development of enterprises requires innovation, which renders the landing and exercise of IP rights an important task. IP rights do not serve the society fully until they are converted to achievements. Mr. Su expressed his appreciation for the gathering at the WOC to exchange ideas with other representatives and come up with practical solutions.

Ms. Xu Min, Chief Patent and Technology Counsel of Alibaba Group, expressed her views on the protection of innovations in the Internet industry. She said that Alibaba Group is willing to cooperate closely with WIPO/WOC to help the SMEs around the world raise awareness of IP protection, promote global cooperation and stimulate innovation and creativity. Meanwhile, Ms. Xu also discussed with representatives the use of legal means in problem solving.

Mr. Yan Xin, President Assistant and General Counsel of Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., said that Huawei has become the Chinese company that benefits the most from IP protection as its annual investment in R&D accounts for about 15% of its revenue and it has filed over 50,000 PCT patent applications. Mr. Yan made suggestions on WIPO’s global IP services, especially on the further improvement of the PCT, Madrid International Trademark System and the Hague International Industrial Design System. He hopes that WIPO will provide more convenient ways in response to the questions and problems that the applicants may have or encounter.

Ms. Diao Yunyun, Legal Director of Tencent Group, said that with the strategic development of Chinese enterprises going abroad, it is important to have access to data from abroad. Ms. Diao hopes that WIPO can provide more detailed research reports and data information so as to meet the needs of Chinese enterprises and help with their global development.

Mr. Gu Yu, Deputy Director of Beijing International Trade in Services Center, expressed his appreciation for WIPO’s continuous support to the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS). WIPO/WOC has been organizing sub-forums under the framework of CIFTIS since the first time CIFTIS was held, providing high-end, detailed and relevant contents to the Fair. Mr. Gu hopes that WIPO/WOC will continue to support CIFTIS and deepen their cooperation.

Ms. Jiang Chonghua, Director of the Department of International Cooperation of Zhongguancun Science and Technology Park introduced the Park’s policies in supporting the technological innovation of SMEs. She appreciated WIPO for its promotion of trademark protection and was looking forward to WIPO/WOC’s participation in the Zhongguancun Forum and closer cooperation between two sides.

Representatives from Baidu Inc., Perfect World Co., Ltd., iFLYTEK Corporation, Xiaomi Group, Renmin University of China and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences also delivered speeches, expressing their appreciation for the high quality of WIPO’s global IP services and the leading role of WIPO in promoting innovation and development. They also gave high hopes for deepening the cooperation with WIPO/WOC and made detailed suggestions for their future collaboration.

Mr. He Zhenfu, Vice Chairman of China Association of Inventions, Mr. Sun Yue, Vice President and Secretary-General of Copyright Society of China, Mr. Xie Xiaoyong, Deputy Secretary-General of China Intellectual Property Society, representatives from Patent Protection Association of China and other associations attended the meeting and discussed IP protection and development.