Patents vital for Northeast China's development plan

A model of a China-developed high-speed train is exhibited at the 2016 China International Patent Fair. Zhang Xiaomin / China Daily

The 2016 China International Patent Fair, which was held in Dalian, Liaoning province, from Sept 9 to 11, set up an effective cooperative platform for international patents and products, said experts.

Statistics from the organizing committee show that on the first day of the fair 12 major projects signed contracts worth a total of 447 million yuan ($66.9 million). These technologies ranged from smart manufacturing to shipbuilding, new energy and new materials, energy conservation and environmental protection, as well as healthcare.

Sponsored by the State Intellectual Property Office and the Liaoning provincial government, the event showcased more than 5,500 patented technologies and products created by 1,175 companies, universities and research institutes from 24 countries and regions.

It was the first time that the fair displayed patents from the Netherlands, Israel and Austria.

"As a major patent fair, it plays an important role in promoting the commercialization and industrialization of patents," said SIPO commissioner Shen Changyu.

He said that participants can take advantage of the fair to promote the transformation and trade of patents, explore new systems and new measures, improve the efficiency of the transformation of intellectual property rights and promote the efficiency and development of the economy.

Dalian Intelland Intellectual Property Co Ltd, which has created an online platform for patents, attracted much attention from insiders.

Gathering patent agents and lawyers from both China and overseas, it provides a one-stop service for intellectual properties, including patent application, rights protection, trademark and copyright registration, and related professional services.

"Since more Chinese companies and individuals are aware of the importance of intellectual property, there is huge potential to bring them to the global market," said Long Feng, president of Dalian Intelland.

During the fair, eight specialized meetings were held, including those for promoting Israeli innovative investment projects, Belarusian civil-military integration development projects, and patents from the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

More than 50 buyer groups and 1,600 professional buyers attended the exhibition. Through the fair, they realized effective connection both online and offline.

The host city, Dalian, has benefited significantly from the fair, which was initiated in 2002.

Xiao Shengfeng, mayor of Dalian, said the fair has grown into one of China's most influential platforms for the display and transaction of patents. He added it has made a remarkable contribution to the optimization and upgrading of China's economic structure and the healthy development of its economy.

This year, the central government has approved the establishment of the Shenyang-Dalian National Independent Innovation Demonstration Area and a pilot free trade zone in Liaoning.

Taking these advantages, Dalian will continue to carry out its innovation-driven development strategy and intellectual property strategy, Xiao said.

"We will strive to build a superior environment for innovation and entrepreneurship. We will also speed up the construction of the scientific and technological innovation and entrepreneurship center in Northeast Asia, in order to make a greater contribution to the comprehensive revitalization of the Northeast Old Industrial Base," said Xiao.