The World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) event marking the 50th anniversary of cooperation between China and WIPO was held in Geneva on July 6, 2023. This event was attended by Zhang Jianchun, Vice Minister of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Shen Changyu, Commissioner of the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), Chen Xu, Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations Office in Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, Xie Dong, Vice Mayor of Shanghai, representatives of Beijing, the Hong Kong SAR and the Macao SAR, WIPO General Director Daren Tang and its Sector Leads, Tatiana Molcean, Chair of the 64th WIPO Assemblies and representatives of member states attending the Assemblies.

Shen Changyu noted that bilateral cooperation started in 1973, when the Chinese government sent its first delegation to a WIPO meeting in Geneva. Over the past 50 years, China-WIPO cooperation has progressed and achieved great results. WIPO highly appreciates China’s achievements in IP regulation. In the future, China is planning to continue deep participation in WIPO’s multilateral affairs. Moreover, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to this commemorative event to claim that the Chinese government is willing to develop China and WIPO’s cooperation.

During this event Shen made several proposals. First of all, participating countries should further advance the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Secondly, it is important to maintain the operation of the multilateral IP system within WIPO. Finally, it is essential to improve WIPO’s oversight and governance system.

Furthermore, the second WIPO Global Awards ceremony was held in Geneva on 11th July. Among the seven award-winning companies from around the world there were two Chinese companies: Shanghai Westwell Technology and Xi’an KissFuture Network Technology. The other five winners are from France, Kenya, Mexico, Singapore and Slovenia. Launched in 2022, the WIPO Global Awards are primarily open to small and medium-sized enterprises. This year, WIPO received 548 applications from 58 countries, half of which were from China.