WIPO China: Build a World Where Innovation and Creativity is Supported by IP for Everyone

October 17, 2021

From October 16 to 17, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the National Copyright Administration of China (NCAC) jointly organized the 2021 International Copyright Forum in Hangzhou during the 8th China International Copyright Expo, with the support of the Zhejiang Provincial Copyright Administration and the People's Government of Hangzhou Municipality.

Mr. Daren Tang, Director General of WIPO, and Mr. Zhang Jianchun, Vice Minister of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee attended the Opening Ceremony. Mr. Daren Tang delivered a video opening speech. Ms. Sylvie Forbin, Deputy Director General of WIPO, delivered her keynote speech via video. Ms. Liu Hua, Director of WIPO Office in China (WOC) attended the Forum. More than 200 participants including copyright officials and experts from the European Union, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Spain, as well as representatives from local copyright offices, copyright associations, copyright industry and rights holders participated in the Forum. In-depth discussions were focused on the implementation of the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate the Access to the Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled (Marrakesh Treaty) and the Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances (Beijing Treaty), as well as copyright to promote the development of cultural industries and to facilitate the universal access to cultural achievements.

In his speech, Mr. Daren Tang commended China's remarkable achievements in establishing a copyright ecosystem and promoting the development of creative industries, which fully demonstrates the important role of creative industries in driving economic growth. He shared with the participants the latest developments concerning WIPO’s newest copyright and related rights treaties: the Beijing Treaty for Audiovisual Performances and the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled. The Beijing Treaty entered into force last year with 30 contracting parties. Since then a further 13 have joined the Treaty. The Beijing Treaty is resonating with more and more countries around the globe. He stressed that China is not only a key partner of the Beijing Treaty, but also a powerful example of the strong contribution the creative industries can make to economic growth and development.

Mr. Daren Tang pointed out that WIPO looks forward to China's ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty. The Marrakesh Treaty can help China go further by providing easier access to accessible books in digital format and by enabling the exchange of books with other Marrakesh Treaty members. It is a powerful example of IP in action and WIPO’s goal for IP to support everyone, everywhere. WIPO looks forward to continuing the strong collaboration and to working with China and all Member States to build a world where innovation and creativity from anywhere is supported by IP for the good of everyone.

Mr. Zhang Jianchun pointed out in his speech that after 30 years of development, China's copyright legal system has been gradually improved, the copyright industry has developed rapidly, and copyright protection has played an important role in promoting cultural prosperity, scientific and technological progress, and economic and social development. President Xi Jinping has made a series of important speeches on comprehensively strengthening IP protection, which provides fundamental guidelines for copyright work. The Chinese government issued the Outline for Building a Powerful IP State (2021-2035) in September 2021, which points out the direction for future copyright work. China will further strengthen cooperation with WIPO and actively participate in and promote the conclusion and entry into force of international copyright treaties, including the Marrakesh Treaty, which provides copyright facilities for the visually impaired, and the Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances, which promotes the development of the audiovisual industry.

In her keynote speech, DDG Sylvie Forbin congratulated China on its excellent performance and innovation achievements in the 2021 Global Innovation Index (GII), and expressed her appreciation for the vigorous development of China's copyright industry. She pointed out that the WIPO treaties of copyright and related rights are the basis for national copyright legislation, and WIPO appreciates China's exemplary role and positive influence in the conclusion and entry into force of the Beijing Treaty, and expects more countries to feel the "Beijing spirit" and accede to the treaty. China has a good foundation in publishing and providing accessible format versions of works, and it is expected that after China becomes a party to the Marrakesh Treaty, more foreign works will be accessible to visually impaired people in China and more Chinese works will be accessible to visually impaired people around the world. WIPO looks forward to continuing its cooperation with China and making a greater contribution to China's booming creative economy.

The Forum was accompanied by a warm-up event for the ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty and an exhibition on the Beijing Treaty and the Marrakesh Treaty.