CNIPA 2026 National IP Directors' Meeting: Key Highlights from the Work Report – Achievements of the 14th Five-Year Plan and Priorities for 2026

Source: Excerpt from CNIPA Official Website (January 7, 2026). https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/art/2026/1/7/art_53_203564.html

Introduction

The 2026 National Intellectual Property Office Directors' Conference, held on January 7, 2026, featured a work report by CNIPA Commissioner Shen Changyu, titled "Anchoring Goals, Continuing Struggles: High-Quality Start to a New Stage in Building a Strong Intellectual Property Nation." This excerpt summarizes achievements from the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), key progress in 2025, and priorities for 2026. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the report aligns with the CPC Central Committee and State Council's decisions, including the "Outline for Building a Strong Intellectual Property Nation (2021-2035)" and the "14th Five-Year National Intellectual Property Protection and Utilization Plan." It marks a successful conclusion to the 14th Five-Year Plan and sets the foundation for the 15th Five-Year Plan, emphasizing high-quality development in IP creation, protection, utilization, management, services, and international cooperation.

Achievements of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025)

Over the five-year period, China's intellectual property system made significant strides, completing the first-stage goals of the Outline and all tasks under the 14th Five-Year Plan. Key accomplishments include:

u Governance Improvements: Enhanced institutional framework with the CNIPA elevated to a State Council-affiliated agency. Established the National Intellectual Property Strong Nation Inter-ministerial Joint Conference for macro coordination. Issued the "Reform Plan for Dividing Central-Local Fiscal Powers and Expenditure Responsibilities in the Intellectual Property Field."

u Rule of Law Advancements: Completed amendments to the Patent Law and its Implementation Rules, introducing high-standard punitive damages for infringement. Revised the Patent Examination Guidelines to refine standards for emerging fields like AI. The Trademark Law (Revised Draft) passed initial review and public consultation. Advanced revisions to the Integrated Circuit Layout Design Protection Regulations and specialized legislation for geographical indications (GIs). 21 provinces enacted comprehensive IP laws.

u Creation Quality Enhancements: Developed world-leading patent and trademark examination systems. Reduced invention patent examination cycle to 15 months and stabilized trademark registration at 4 months—both globally fastest under similar systems. Achieved over 95% accuracy in patent examinations and 97% pass rate in trademark reviews. Domestic valid invention patents exceeded 5 million; high-value patents per 10,000 population reached 16 (surpassing targets). Led globally in PCT international patent applications, Hague System designs, and Madrid trademarks. Domestic valid trademarks hit 50.816 million. Issued over 40,000 data IP registration certificates, with financing and licensing nearing 15 billion yuan.

u Protection Strengthening: Implemented IP protection projects, establishing 129 national protection and rapid rights centers, handling 480,000 cases cumulatively. Set up online mediation with the Supreme People's Court, processing 450,000 cases. Built 116 overseas IP dispute guidance platforms, aiding 4,200+ disputes and recovering nearly 41 billion yuan in losses. IP protection satisfaction rose from 80.05 in 2020 to 82.81 in 2025.

u Utilization Benefits: Launched patent transformation actions, inventorying 1.349 million patents from over 2,700 universities/research institutions. Patent transfers/licensing reached 1.458 million (up 48%), with universities/institutions up 105.6%. Technical contracts exceeded 1 trillion yuan. IP pledge financing surpassed 900 billion yuan. Patent-intensive industries' GDP ratio increased from 11.97% in 2020 to 13.38% in 2024. Chinese brands in global top 5,000 valued at 1.81 trillion USD (second worldwide). GI products' output value hit 969 billion yuan. IP usage fees' imports/exports expected over 40 billion yuan.

u Public Services Optimization: Launched the National IP Public Service Platform, integrating over 400 data types for "one-net handling" and "one-stop" services. Built 519 national institutions with full provincial coverage, serving over 5 million entities. Collaborated with WIPO on 202 Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISCs)—the world's largest network.

u International Cooperation: Included 21 items in head-of-state diplomacy. Joined Hague Agreement and Marrakesh Treaty. Pushed WIPO treaties on genetic resources/traditional knowledge and design law. Hosted 3rd Belt and Road IP Conference; established China-Central Asia mechanism. Deepened US-EU-Japan-Korea, BRICS, and surrounding cooperation. Expanded PPH to 86 countries.

u Foundation Building: Promoted IP education and publicity; established IP master's degrees in 27 universities; trained over 1 million IP professionals; enhanced think tanks and research.

Internationally, China's Global Innovation Index ranking rose to 10th in 2025 (up 25 places since 2012). Led with 24 global top 100 innovation clusters, including Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou as No. 1.

Key Progress in 2025

2025 marked a strong conclusion to the 14th Five-Year Plan, with focused implementation of central directives:

u Studied Xi Jinping's instructions; advanced reforms from the 20th CPC Central Committee Session 4; compiled the 15th Five-Year Plan.

u Authorized 972,000 invention patents and registered 4.206 million trademarks. Cracked down on dishonest applications and malicious trademarks; issued GI examination rules.

u Hosted Patent Law 40th anniversary events; issued guidance on IP arbitration, photovoltaic protection, and diversified mediation; advanced IP credit systems and GI certification.

u Deepened patent transformation; optimized local policies; built IP operation centers; hosted the 14th China International Patent Fair; implemented trademark value actions.

u Issued opinions on IP business environment; piloted in 6 cities; rectified agency industry; promoted procurement standards.

u Advanced international rules; hosted US-EU-Japan-Korea and China-ASEAN meetings; celebrated China-EU 40th cooperation; registered 70 French Burgundy GIs in China.

Local innovations included reforms in Guangzhou Knowledge City, Hainan Free Trade Port, and pilots in data IP, protection mechanisms, and utilization projects across provinces.

Priorities for 2026

As the starting year of the 15th Five-Year Plan, 2026 focuses on high-quality development through eight key tasks:

u Insist on Party's Comprehensive Leadership and Implement Central Decisions: Strengthen "first topic" systems; leverage inter-ministerial mechanisms; conduct 5-year assessments; formulate annual plans; promote demonstrations and provincial cooperation.

u Accelerate IP Creation Quality to Support Scientific Self-Reliance: Focus on national strategies; innovate examination mechanisms; deepen agency rectification for compliance.

u Elevate IP Protection Levels for Better Innovation Environment: Accelerate Trademark Law and IC Regulations revisions; improve emerging field rules; research IP regulations; strengthen foreign-related protection; build centers and mediation; enhance administrative enforcement.

u Release IP Utilization Benefits for High-Quality Economic Development: Build long-term mechanisms; deepen university inventories; explore AI modes; support financial pilots; enhance industry chains; implement trademark/GI projects.

u Optimize IP Services with Quality and Efficiency: Advance business environment pilots; enhance public services; upgrade data platforms; coordinate public-market services.

u Deepen International IP Cooperation for High-Level Opening Up: Participate in WIPO governance; advance Belt and Road outcomes; improve multilateral mechanisms (US-EU-Japan-Korea, BRICS, ASEAN, Central Asia); enhance bilateral ties (China-EU, China-France, China-UK).

u Deepen IP Foundation Strengthening Actions: Solidify development base through talent training, publicity, and institutional reforms (incomplete in source, but implies continued efforts in education, teams, and research).

u Strengthen Party Building and Discipline: Advance comprehensive strict Party governance; deepen inspections and rectifications; enhance cadre teams.

Implications for Foreign and Domestic Applicants

The report underscores China's transition to high-quality IP development, with faster examinations, stronger protections, and enhanced international integration. Foreign innovators should leverage opportunities like expanded PPH (86 countries), GI mutual recognition, and AI-focused rules. Key takeaways include preparing for stricter quality checks, utilizing rapid protection centers, and engaging in transformation actions for commercialization. This positions China as a global IP leader, offering robust support for cross-border strategies.

For expert guidance on navigating these developments and optimizing your China IP portfolio, contact our team of qualified Chinese Patent Attorneys.