Chongqing - At a press conference on April 16, He Dawei, Director of the Chongqing Intellectual Property Administration, said Chongqing enterprises are showing a stronger drive to expand globally, with the city processing 605 international patent applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) in 2025, up 30.1% year-on-year.

The PCT is an international intellectual property system that allows applicants to file a single application to seek patent protection in multiple countries, serving as a “passport” for exporting core technologies by streamlining cross-border filing processes, reducing decision-making costs, and helping companies seize overseas opportunities while reducing infringement risks.

He said, to better safeguard local businesses going global, Chongqing advances an IP protection initiative focused on three key areas: expanding international cooperation, promoting the export of Geographical Indications (GIs), and optimizing corporate services.

First, broadening international cooperation and building exchange platforms. The High People's Court of Chongqing Municipality has deepened its partnership with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Arbitration and Mediation Center, and signed a memorandum of understanding with the Intellectual Property Department of Hong Kong. Additionally, a municipal delegation attended an international IP forum in Singapore, securing multiple cooperation agreements.

Second, promoting Geographical Indications to create "golden business cards" for local specialties. Chongqing recently showcased 13 local GI products, including Jiangjin Peppercorn and Youyang Camellia Oil, at an exhibition in Hong Kong. Notably, the rapid overseas expansion of Jiangjin Peppercorn was selected as a national model case for GI protection demonstration zones.

Jiangjin Peppercorn is a typical representative of Chongqing's Geographical Indications expanding overseas. (Photo/Jiangjin District)

A Geographical Indication is an IP right denoting a product's specific regional origin, where its distinct quality or reputation is tied to local natural or human factors. It serves as a recognized label for specialty products entering international markets.

In recent years, Chongqing has made strides in GI brand building. The usage coverage rate of dedicated GI logos surged from 21.4% in 2024 to 80% in 2025. Currently, five GI products—Jiangjin Peppercorn, Shizhu Chili, Wushan Crispy Plum, Fengjie Navel Orange, and Fuling Stem Mustard—have established national standardized green food raw material bases. Covering 844,900 mu (approx. 56,327 hectares), these bases provide a solid foundation for Chongqing agricultural products to reach global consumers.

Third, enhancing corporate rights protection and risk management. Chongqing has proactively implemented overseas IP risk warning systems. According to He, the city has provided customized guidance on patent layouts and risk assessments to 28 key export-oriented companies in sectors such as new energy vehicles and medical devices, ensuring standardized overseas IP management.

In 2025, the city's overseas IP dispute resolution agencies issued over 300 cross-border risk warnings, saving enterprises more than 50 million yuan (approx. 7.33 million U.S. dollars) in potential economic losses.

Chongqing’s IP innovation yielded fruitful results in 2025, driving high-quality economic development and corporate globalization. The city granted 47,200 patents in 2025. High-value invention patents—particularly in critical sectors like next-generation information technology, high-end equipment, and biomedicine—now account for 40.2% of the total.

The added value of patent-intensive industries reached 12.63% of the city's GDP, underscoring the growing contribution of IP to Chongqing's broader economic growth.