Ding Xuexiang, Chinese Vice Premier and Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attended and addressed the opening ceremony of the Third Belt and Road High-Level Conference on Intellectual Property, which was held in Beijing on September 11.
Ding stated that China attaches great importance to strengthening intellectual property (IP) cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). President Xi Jinping has highlighted the crucial role of the IP system in promoting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and stressed the need to deepen IP cooperation with other BRI participating countries and regions. Thanks to the joint efforts of all parties, the Belt and Road IP cooperation has achieved fruitful results.
Ding stressed that China is ready to work with all parties to promote IP development and make IP a bigger driver of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation by focusing on following areas. Firstly, efforts should be made to support high-quality IP creation. This includes implementing international sci-tech cooperation initiatives, advancing the sharing of data and information resources, improving the quality and efficiency of IP examination, and generating more IP rights with emerging sci-tech achievements. Secondly, it is imperative to enhance high-level IP protection by cracking down on various infringement activities in accordance with the law, promoting the mutual recognition and protection of geographical indications on a larger scale, boosting IP protection in data and e-commerce, and creating a favorable environment for innovation. Thirdly, we should promote the efficient and comprehensive use of IP, such as patents, trademarks, geographical indications and copyrights, to support the innovation-driven economy, brand economy, economy with regional characteristics and creative economy, by fostering new quality productive forces. Fourthly, strengthening efficient global IP governance is crucial. This requires us to uphold true multilateralism, make the global IP governance system fairer and more reasonable, and give full play to the role of IP in the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Daren Tang, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), among other guests, also attended and addressed the event.
Prior to the opening ceremony, Ding met with participating foreign dignitaries, including Daren Tang.
The conference, themed “Openness, Cooperation, Development and Mutual Benefit”, was co-hosted by the China National Intellectual Property Administration, the National Copyright Administration, the Ministry of Commerce, the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, and the World Intellectual Property Organization. It brought together about 450 attendees, including heads of relevant Chinese authorities, experts and scholars, and IP institution representatives from countries, regions and international organizations participating in the BRI.
Sun Shuo, Vice Mayor of Beijing, made a speech titled “Strengthening IP Governance to Promote High-Quality Urban Development” at the conference. He provided an overview of IP-driven high-quality urban development from the following aspects: strengthening top-level IP design, improving IP management system and mechanism, deepening IP reform and innovation, reinforcing IP protection, commercialization and application, and expanding international exchanges and cooperation.
