February 5, 2024
Beijing, January 29 - At the heart of China's burgeoning innovation landscape, the 26th National Exhibition of Invention's award ceremony unfolded, celebrating the 2022-2023 Project Award of the Invention and Entrepreneurship Award - Belt & Road and BRICS Skills Development & Technology Innovation Competition. This prestigious event, chaired by Mr. Yu Huarong, Executive Vice President and Secretary General of the China Association of Inventions (CAI), was graced by luminaries including Mr. Wan Gang, Chairman of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), Mr. Wu Zhaohui, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) , Mr. Hu Wenhui, Deputy Commissioner of the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) and other distinguished guests. Ms. Liu Hua, Director of WIPO Office in China (WOC), addressed the ceremony and presented the WIPO Awards for Inventions.
Ms. Liu Hua illuminated the "3E" trend in the current global innovation scenario: the eastward movement of innovation centers, enhanced exchanges and collaborations, and the increasing role of enterprises in driving innovation. China's remarkable ascent as a leader in top science and technology clusters and its prominent role in the digital economy highlights its central position in the new trend. Over the past decade, China has applied for nearly 400,000 patents in AI and over 1 million in computer technology, and representative companies such as BOE and Xiaomi have emerged.
The ceremony showcased China's commitment to intellectual property as a strategic innovation driver, with Mr. Hu Wenhui highlighting the progress and quality improvement in China's IP work. China's rank in the 2023 Global Innovation Index and its leading position in PCT patents, Madrid trademarks, and Hague design applications were points of pride, signaling the fruitfulness of the 50-year collaboration with WIPO.
Looking ahead to 2024, WIPO's focus in China includes telling compelling IP stories, strengthening partnerships, providing high-quality IP services, and leveraging IP as a powerful policy tool through initiatives like TISCs, WIPO Green, and WIPO Academy.
Mr. Wan Gang's speech underlined the vital roles of inventors, scientists, and entrepreneurs in realizing China's vision as a global technological powerhouse, emphasizing talent-driven initiatives and an open innovation ecosystem. Meanwhile, Mr. Wu Zhaohui called for greater international collaboration and a focus on transforming invention outcomes into practical applications.
WIPO's special awards - the Best Inventor, Best Woman Inventor, and Best Youth Inventor - highlighted the organization's commitment to fostering a balanced and inclusive IP ecosystem. The inventors honored this year include Mr. Yan Jun for his urban traffic holographic system, Ms. Wang Meiyun for her magnetic resonance-guided neuromodulation therapy, and young inventor Ms. Li Ke for her mirage research device.
This ceremony marks another milestone in China's journey towards global innovation leadership, embodying the dynamic "3E" trend of Eastward innovation, Exchanges and collaboration, and Enterprise-driven progress.