Winners to be named at separate events

Invention champions highlighted in Dalian while top designs to be announced in Wuxi

The National Intellectual Property Administration announced its top 30 patent winners for inventions and utility models at the 12th China International Patent Fair, which is being held in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning province, from Nov 11-13.

The move came as part of NIPA's decision to integrate the Awards for Outstanding Chinese Patented Invention and Industrial Design into two exhibitions, namely the CIPF and the China (Wuxi) International Design Expo from this year.

The national awards, jointly presented by NIPA and the World Intellectual Property Organization on a yearly basis, are top honors in the country's patented invention and industrial design fields.

"It is the first time for the administration to combine the patent awards with two other events in an effort to promote our patent-winning projects and enhance the influence and popularity of the exhibitions," said Lei Xiaoyun, head of the IP utilization promotion department at NIPA, at a recent news conference.

This year, the awards' organizers have received a record 2,479 entries for the patent awards. Forty of them will win a golden prize－30 of them for inventions and 10 for industrial designs.

By the end of 2018, these winning projects had generated 660 billion yuan ($99 billion) in combined sales revenue, 62.9 billion yuan in profit and 136.3 billion yuan in exports, according to Lei.

Winners of this year's patent awards are generally involved in major industries and core technologies, Lei said, which "puts more attention on the country's strengths in manufacturing and challenges over technology monopolies".

Established in 1989, the patent awards aim to encourage innovation in the country, organizers said.

The top 30 winners of patented inventions and utility models, as well as previous golden prize winners, will be showcased at the CIPF to promote their role in innovation and boosting high-quality economic development, Lei said.

NIPA has also launched several platforms and activities during the fair. It has established an online platform to help participants conduct transactions via its virtual showrooms and IP big data.

According to Lei, the platform is expected to attract nearly 3,000 companies. On it, they can find potential business partners, as well as hold business discussions in tailor-made livestreaming rooms.

Such moves will be replicated at the China (Wuxi) International Design Expo in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, which is scheduled to be held from Nov 14-16.

NIPA said it will announce the 10 top winners for industrial designs at the expo's opening ceremony and will demonstrate these projects at its exhibition zones.

Themed on "Intelligent Innovation, Ingenious Creation", the expo will cover an area of 24,600 square meters with four themed areas. These will display exhibits from more than 200 participants involved in fields from automobiles to household appliances, Lei said.

The event will also invite more than 30 industry experts to attend its industrial forums to deliver speeches and conduct exchanges on topics including innovation and design, IP protection and manufacturing innovation.

Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers said they will also establish an online platform to provide exhibitors with 3D display systems and livestreaming services.

Compared to previous sessions, the expo this year will create a more aesthetic and intensive experience for audiences and encourage more interaction, according to Lei.

Co-organized by NIPA, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Jiangsu provincial government, the expo has been held 15 times since 2000, with an aim to promote China's IP and design around the world.