China has made great achievements in intellectual property cooperation with countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative and will work to expand the collaboration, Shen Changyu, director of the National Intellectual Property Administration, said on April 28.

Having hosted two High-Level Conference (s) on Intellectual Property for Countries along the Belt and Road, in 2016 and 2018, China has established a regular cooperation system on intellectual property with Belt and Road countries, Shen said in a news conference.

“At least eight programs have been carried out so far, including the communication of macro policies, intellectual property review, construction of basic facilities and exchanges of information and data,” he said.

Some of the cooperation has led to pleasant outcomes, he said. For example, applications for patents and trademarks between China and Belt and Road countries have increased quickly; patents granted by China can be registered in Cambodia and immediately take effect there; and Chinese patent review results are recognized by Laos.

“These have greatly promoted bilateral cooperation on economy and trade, as well as exchanges of science, technology and culture,” Shen said.

China offers an academic program leading to a master’s degree in intellectual property to students from countries and regions involved in the BRI. “The first group of students has already graduated,” he said.

President Xi Jinping, in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing on April 26, said China will strengthen intellectual cooperation with countries and regions involved in the BRI and create a business climate where the value of knowledge is respected.

He stressed that China will strengthen law enforcement and the protection of foreign owners’ intellectual property rights, prohibit forced technology transfer and crack down on infringements.

Next year, the Third High-Level Conference on Intellectual Property for Countries along the Belt and Road will be held.

Based on achievements in international IPR cooperation and following the guidance of Xi’s remarks, Shen said the National Intellectual Property Administration will work on more programs and try to solve more problems in the field.

“Only in this way can a better environment be created for innovation to support cooperation and exchanges in science and technology between China and other countries,” he said.