Mr. Wang Jingchuan, Commissioner of SIPO

      The year 2000 is not only the first year in the new millennium but a year of significant importance in the development of Chinese patent system.

      In the year 2000, China celebrated the 15th anniversary for the implementation of the patent law. The office organized the" Exhibition on China's 15-Year Achievements in Patent Work" Present were Mr. Jiang Zemin, President and General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Mr. Hu Jintao, Vice President and Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of CPC, Mr. Li Lanqing, Vice Premier of the State Council and Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of CPC, and Mr. Wen Jiabao, Vice Premier of the State Council. At the exhibition, President Jiang Zemin pointed out that" we must energetically promote the long-term development of our economy by supporting the development of patent, enhancing the role of the patent system and furthering growth of high-tech products with our own independent intellectual property rights and market prospect". His remarks greatly encouraged all people working for the patent cause, and it also set new and high requirements for further development of the patent system in China.

      This year, the 17th Session of the Standing Committee of the Ninth National People's Congress approved the" Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on Revision of the Patent Law of the People's Republic of China" to be in further compliance with the requirement of the socialist market economy and with the needs of more profound reform and open-up policy. It is a milestone in the development of the patent system in China.

     The year 2000 was also the last year for the Ninth Five-Year Plan for Patent. In order to successfully carry out the said plan and to guarantee a favorable start in the Tenth Five-Year Plan for Patent, the SIPO convened the national conference on patent work at the beginning of the year, at which the participants summarized experiences over the past two years, analyzed opportunities and challenges facing patent work, and were determined to integrate patent work more closely into the major goals of the Party and the country. The conference reiterated the necessity to adhere to importance of patent in the national innovation system, and constant efforts should be made to elevate the work to a new level.

      -The function of macro-administration was further strengthened and more emphases were placed upon the patent administration. The national working conference on patent trials cities was held and the number of such cities reached 13 The Office approved to establish a Model Zone for Industrialization of Patented Technologies in Deyang City of Sichuan Province and Yangling Model Zone for Industrialization of High and New Agricultural Technologies in Shaanxi Province Furthermore, more guidance on enforcement and legislation were given by the SIPO to the local patent administrative competent agencies for purpose of promoting the local legislation.

       -The SIPO worked out and promulgated, jointly with the State Commission for Economy and Trade, the Measures on Administration of Patent Work in Enterprises 70 patent trial enterprises were reviewed. Obvious progress was made in the patent work within the enterprises and institutes.

      -After the approval of the Decision on Revision of the Patent Law of the People's Republic of China by the 17th Session of the Standing Committee of the Ninth National People's Congress, the Office started preparation for revision of the related regulations. The office worked out the draft Implementing Rules for the Patent Law and submitted it to the State Council for review and approval.

      -In the year 2000, the SIPO received 170682 patent filings, an increase of 36443 over the previous year, the rate being 27.1%. Also in the year, the office's working plan of "Speed up patent examination and Eliminate backlog" was implemented and remarkable progress was made For example, 2378 cases were closed for request for reexamination and invalidation, an increase of 98.8% over the previous year. The total number of patents granted was 105345, an increase of 5.2% over the previous year.

      -The SIPO continued its role and performance in comprehensive coordination of foreign-related intellectual property affairs in China and was actively involved in the protection of the international intellectual property. At the 35th Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of WIPO in Geneva, the SIPO and Algeria put forward a proposal of World Intellectual Property Day, which was adopted unanimously. The SIPO also signed the Patent Law Treaty. The multilateral and bilateral cooperative relations were further strengthened in the international intellectual property arena and enhanced the cooperative relationship with many national patent offices.

      -In order to further cultivate and develop the patented technology market, the SIPO co-organized with some provinces and cities the fairs and exhibitions on transfer of high technologies and on commercialization of patented technologies. Furthermore, for providing macro-guidance for the development of enterprises, special researches were conducted on patent strategies for some technologies with competitive advantages in the world.

     -Remarkable progress was made in automation and the information system. Much had been done for the development of information system without influencing the normal operation. Standardization was also being implemented. The number of local information centers across the nation reached 20 by the end of the year.

      -The SIPO continued to reinforce the administration of patent agencies. In accordance with the principles of the State Council's decisions on restructuring of intermediary service agencies, the SIPO formulated " Implementing Opinions on the Restructuring of Patent Agencies", which was submitted to concerned departments under the State Council for implementation.

     -Publicity of patent and personnel training were further strengthened. The publicity, especially that of the concern and support from state leaders of the third generation for the patent system, proved to be effective in the society. The training in 2000, which was characterized with rich contents and targeted at various levels, met the needs of the development at home and abroad.

      -The leading officials of the SIPO, together with all the working staff, earnestly studied the remarks of "Three Representatives" by President Jiang Zemin, helping consolidate and reinforce the spiritual civilization and anti-corruption campaign.

      -Responding positively to the Communist Party's call for developing the west, the SIPO established the leading group of "Two Strategies" and worked out related working schemes.

      As a beginning of the new century, the year 2001 is of even greater significance. The Tenth Five-Year Plan for the national patent work is to be implemented. While reviewing the remarkable progress in the year,  we see more requirements and challenges for our task brought by the national and international trend. The globalization of the world economy and the rapid development of science and technology have brought to us the new opportunities and the severe challenges.

      We will adhere closely to the leadership by President Jiang Zemin and follow the spirit of Deng Xiaoping's theory. At the same time, we will spare no efforts to work harder so as to lay a favorable and solid basis for implementing the Tenth Five-Year Plan for patent work.

Wang Jingchuan

2002-02-27