BEIJING, June 30 -- China's intellectual property (IP) development has gained momentum over the past year, with more patents, efficient protection measures and an improved institutional system, according to a white paper published by the country's top IP regulator.

In 2022, the number of IP examinations, approvals and registrations continued to grow, while the quality and efficiency of IP examination were steadily improved, the National Intellectual Property Administration said at a press conference.

By the end of 2022, the total number of valid invention patents in China had reached 4.21 million, a year-on-year increase of 17.1 percent, according to the data published in the white paper. The number of valid utility model patents totaled 10.84 million, up 17.2 percent year on year, while the number of valid registered trademarks in China was 42.67 million, a year-on-year increase of 14.6 percent, the paper revealed.

The Chinese government achieved remarkable results in the intensity, scope and efficiency of IP protection in 2022.

China continuously strengthened IP protection in key areas such as patents, trademarks, copyrights, Olympic symbols, new plant species and anti-unfair competition, as well as crucial links such as customs and online markets.

It also intensified efforts to crack down on irregular patent applications and malicious trademark registration, and developed the establishment of mechanisms for dealing with overseas IP disputes.

Last year, Chinese courts received 526,165 new IP cases. Among them, the number of patent cases and technology contract disputes continued to rise, with first-instance patent civil cases and first-instance technology contract cases up 23.25 percent and 5.55 percent year-on-year, respectively, according to Ding Guangyu, an official with China's Supreme People's Court.

Chinese courts have fully safeguarded the legitimate rights of patentees and inventors in accordance with the law, strictly protected the trade secrets of enterprises, and vigorously promoted innovation in key areas, core technologies and emerging industries, Ding said, adding that the role of IP judicial services in high-quality development has become more prominent.

China effectively improved the IP institutional system last year. Three laws and regulations related to IP were revised and implemented, two judicial interpretations of IP protection were issued, and more than 20 normative documents and policy documents about IP protection were introduced and implemented, the white paper said. Positive progress was also made in local comprehensive legislation on IP protection.

In 2022, China also deepened exchanges and cooperation with international organizations such as the World Intellectual Property Organization and IP institutions in various countries and regions, participated deeply in global IP governance, and actively advocated for the strengthening of IP protection through joint efforts.