Patents power progress in Dalian

BEIJING, Oct. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from China Daily

The 14th China International Patent Fair is set to take place in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning province, from Oct 13 to 15, with a renewed focus on establishing itself as a global, specialized and market-oriented platform. 

For the first time, this year's patent fair will incorporate the previous China (Wuxi) International Design Expo to form a combined event, organizers said.

This year's fair will comprise three main components of an opening ceremony, exhibitions and supporting activities.

The opening ceremony will include the ceremony for the 25th WIPO-CNIPA Award for Chinese Outstanding Patented Invention and Industrial Design, presented by the World Intellectual Property Organization and the China National Intellectual Property Administration. The on-site exhibition will span 20,000 square meters and consist of eight sections of the Chinese patent award zone, thematic exhibition zone, key industries zone, patented technology zone, IP operation ecosystem zone, regional exhibition zone, geographical indications zone, as well as industrial design and consumer products zone. In addition, more than 30 supporting events will be organized, covering policy interpretation, seminars, roadshows, experience-sharing sessions, competition showcases, and business matchmaking activities.

This year's event will feature significant innovations in organizational structure, exhibition concepts, and activity planning.

Hosted by the CNIPA and organized by the Dalian city government, the fair is a premier national event in China's IP sector with global influence.

Bringing the event to Dalian is both a signal of commitment to revitalizing the northeast and a test of the city's innovation ecosystem, local officials said.

The city government has attached great importance to the event, carrying out high-level planning and preparation, with all tasks currently progressing as scheduled.

So far, the exhibition zones have drawn more than 300 organizations, with registration continuing. Participation numbers for the supporting activities are also expected to climb, underscoring the event's role as a "super link" for innovators.

This year's fair is set to deliver substantial highlights and opportunities for engagement.

The upcoming event is set to serve as a dynamic nexus for industry and innovation, catalyzing new opportunities for collaboration. By bridging industrial needs with technological advancement, it will function as a critical gateway connecting Chinese and global tech ecosystems, while providing a robust platform for partnership between enterprises and academic institutions.

The event will spotlight four key sectors of energy and chemicals, high-end manufacturing, the modern marine industry, and life sciences. It will assemble key players and cutting-edge patented technologies from across the industry chain, delivering high-value solutions for innovators. A diverse lineup of leading participants has been confirmed. International representation includes organizations such as Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency and Nikken Sekkei. Major Chinese companies like China Mobile, CGN, Sinopec, Tencent, and BYD will join, alongside prominent Liaoning-based enterprises such as Hengli Petrochemical and Ansteel. The academic sector will be well represented by institutions including Macao Polytechnic University, Dalian University of Technology and the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Additionally, the fair will focus on bridging the gap between supply and demand to cultivate a new ecosystem for patent transactions. More than 30 themed events will be organized across the four key industrial sectors to advance patent commercialization. These include seminars on building an IP operation ecosystem and facilitating the transaction of State-owned intellectual assets, roadshows featuring award-winning projects from the National High-Value Patent Cultivation Competition, and product launches in areas such as food inspection robotics and patent information services.

A total of 80 specific technical challenges and patent needs raised by Dalian-based businesses have been collected in advance, seeking more efficient matchmaking during the event. The fair is further supported by a dedicated online platform that extends transaction opportunities beyond the venue, allowing for year-round collaboration and incubation. An on-site service ecosystem will integrate more than 30 professional institutions offering expertise in IP trading, valuation, legal consultancy and financing.

Additionally, the fair will enhance collaboration by creating a dynamic, integrated experience for all participants at the Dalian International Conference Center. The venue will provide dedicated spaces for high-level meetings and presentations, allowing delegates to engage in discussions while enjoying panoramic sea views.

To support comprehensive media coverage, a centralized press area will be available for journalists. Interactive livestreaming zones in the GI and industrial design sections will enable visitors to sample authentic regional products and explore cutting-edge consumer goods. These curated experiences are planned to give both domestic and international guests a direct feel for Dalian's innovation vitality, industrial prowess, and unique urban charm.

The patent fair is recognized as one of the most prestigious and specialized professional events in China's IP sector.

Since its inception in 2002, the fair has been held 13 times, evolving into a highly influential platform that bridges industry, academia, research and application. It has become a major IP gathering for showcasing domestic and international innovation achievements as well as facilitating economic and trade cooperation.

Underpinned by its strategic "pioneer zone" positioning and six-targeted construction tasks, Dalian's economy continues to demonstrate robust and high-quality growth. This momentum is reflected in key indicators, including a 6 percent GDP increase and a leading 12.5 percent rise in industrial output among China's sub-provincial cities in the first half of this year.

The city's rising innovation profile is further cemented by platforms including Yinggeshi Science City and a slew of major new research laboratories. Having hosted international forums like the Summer Davos, Dalian is now poised to focus global attention on IP as it welcomes the 14th China International Patent Fair.

The fair is expected to amplify the influx of technology, talent and capital into the city. By hosting this prestigious event, Dalian reaffirms its commitment to strengthening its IP ecosystem and solidifying its role as a driving force in regional innovation, local officials said.

SOURCE China Daily