International: The Number of Effective Invention Patents in China Surpassed 4 Million

Hu Wenhui, Deputy Director of the State Intellectual Property Office, announced at a press conference of the State Council Information Office on January 16 that the number of domestic invention patents in China (excluding Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) reached 4.015 million by the end of 2023. This marks a 22.4% increase compared to the previous year, making China the first country in the world to surpass 4 million domestic effective invention patents.

Hu Wenhui explained that it took 31 years for the effective number of domestic invention patents (excluding Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) to reach the first million, but only a year and a half to surpass the fourth million. Among the more than 4 million valid invention patents, high-quality invention patents account for more than 4 percent. China has developed into a true intellectual property powerhouse and continues to make significant contributions to global innovation and development.

In 2023, China approved 921,000 invention patents, 2.09 million utility model patents, and 638,000 design patents. Additionally, 65,000 patent re-examination cases were concluded, and 7,700 invalidation cases were resolved. A total of 74,000 international PCT patent applications were accepted, and Chinese applicants submitted 1,814 international Hague design applications.

„By the end of 2023, the effective number of invention patents in China will be 4.991 million,“ Hu Wenhui stated, noting that among these, the effective number of domestic (excluding Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) invention patents is 4.015 million. The number of high-quality invention patents per 10,000 people in China reached 11.8.