The nation's first 10-year patent strategy announced in Beijing on Nov 11 is "a milestone in the history of China's development", according to Gan Shaoning, vice-commissioner of the State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO).

"Patents are playing an increasingly important role in boosting the national economy, as well as scientific and social development, as a crucial way to encourage and protect innovation," Gan said.

Yet youth of the nation's patent system - only 30 years old - has not kept pace with economic growth.

It has yet to correspond closely to the country's market-driven economy and complement national economic and technology policies, Gan added.

"It is now necessary to launch a strategy to improve the situation," he noted.

The strategy mainly focuses on international cooperation in patent protection and utilization along with preferential policies to encourage R&D by high-tech companies, research institutes and colleges.

An overseas intellectual property website is under construction to help companies check information and look for help.

By the end of 2015, the number of Chinese patent applications is projected to hit 2 million.

Chinese invention patents granted each year will by that time be in the top two worldwide.

Plans also call for establishment of organizations for patent trading in major cities, which are projected to have 100 billion yuan (about US$15 billion) in combined annual transactions.

"Patent protection and improvement is long-term and complicated work," the vice-commissioner said. "China has a long way to go."

(China Daily November 17, 2010)