Tianjin, China, recently hosted the annual summit of the IP5 — comprising the world’s five largest patent offices — highlighting China's growing influence in global intellectual property governance. The China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) welcomed delegations from the European Patent Office (EPO), the Japan Patent Office (JPO), the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Together, these five offices oversee over 90% of global patent filings.

A central focus of the summit was leveraging IP to drive economic growth. China led discussions on practical measures such as IP-based financing, voluntary patent licensing, and public awareness initiatives. The integration of emerging technologies and AI in patent systems was also high on the agenda, with China emphasizing innovation-driven modernization.

EPO President António Campinos underscored the role of high-quality patents in fostering innovation and investment. He introduced the EPO’s ANSERA tool, which enables access to over 160 million patent documents, as part of efforts to maintain top-tier examination standards.

Bilateral talks between the EPO and CNIPA reviewed a successful pilot allowing Chinese applicants to designate the EPO for international patent protection—an initiative reflecting China’s deeper engagement in global IP systems.

Tianjin’s local government reinforced its commitment to international cooperation by hosting a formal reception. At the same time, delegates visited CNIPA’s Patent Examination and Cooperation Center to observe China’s examination practices and infrastructure firsthand.

Liliana ZHANG

Trademark and Patent Attorney

l.zhang@so-ipr.com

+86 10 8446 4788