WIPO China: A Global Perspective, Building Dreams of Innovation Together

August 20, Beijing - The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Office in China welcomed a delegation of students from the "Soar Plan-Ladder Training Camp", co-organized by China Foreign Affairs University, the Beijing Wu Jianmin Foundation and the Enlai Foundation. This visit brought together students from Chinese universities, including China Foreign Affairs University, Beijing International Studies University, South China University of Technology, Qinghai Minzu University, and Wuhan University. Ms. Liu Hua, Director of the WIPO Office in China, engaged the students in an in-depth discussion on the global intellectual property (IP) landscape, cutting-edge trends, and career planning for youth.

 

During the event, Ms. Liu Hua provided a comprehensive overview of the critical role IP plays in the global economy and its significant impact on individuals, businesses, and national development. She emphasized that IP is one of the most valuable assets in modern society, influencing not only the innovative capacity of individuals and enterprises but also the economic strength and competitiveness of nations. WIPO, as a global IP forum, is dedicated to building a balanced, inclusive, and forward-looking IP ecosystem, offering policy advice, technical support, and services to its member states.

 

Ms. Liu further highlighted the transformative impact of two major innovation waves, the "Digital Age" and "Deep Science", on human production, life, and entertainment. She shared insights from WIPO's 2023 Global Innovation Index, which identified three major global trends: the eastward shift of innovation hubs, the strengthening of collaborative innovation, and the rise of enterprise-driven innovation. Ms. Liu also highlighted the exemplary practices of leading Chinese companies such as Huawei, ByteDance, Xiaomi, and Tencent in the field of IP.

Linking the evolution of top global science and technology clusters with national and regional development, Ms. Liu encouraged the students to grasp the trends of the times, maintain an open and inclusive learning attitude, and cultivate a global strategic vision and self-awareness. She emphasized the importance of positioning oneself to lead in the wave of innovation during this transformative period of societal production.

In the interactive session, students eagerly posed questions and engaged in discussions. Addressing queries about WIPO's role in promoting global balanced development, empowering SMEs, and safeguarding IP in frontier technologies, Ms. Liu explained WIPO's five "golden keys" for SME empowerment: a policy platform, registration systems, databases, cooperation platforms, and capacity-building programs. She also noted the importance of member states' participation in treaty negotiations on IP-related issues, highlighting the recent approval of the "WIPO Treaty on IP, Genetic Resources, and Associated Traditional Knowledge" on May 24, 2024. Additionally, she mentioned the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), which focuses on agricultural IP protection, as crucial for global economic balance and sustainable development. Furthermore, Ms. Liu discussed WIPO's nine sessions of the "WIPO Conversation on IP and Frontier Technologies", an open forum for discussing the impact of frontier technologies, including artificial intelligence, on IP, and addressing challenges within the IP system.

In advising students on their studies and future careers, Ms. Liu stressed the importance of the "3C" key elements: Comprehension, Compromise, and Cooperation. She urged young scholars to broaden their knowledge channels, practice mutual benefit in their future work, and enhance their skills to provide value. By integrating diverse skill sets, they can expand their career paths. Ms. Liu also encouraged students to actively participate in WIPO’s Young Experts Program and internships, leveraging WIPO’s resources and platforms to enhance their professional skills and overall competencies.

 

The “Soar Plan-Ladder Training Camp” is co-organized by China Foreign Affairs University, the Beijing Wu Jianmin Foundation and the Enlai Foundation, with a focus on nurturing talent for international organizations.