Zhou Qiang, vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, led a team from the CPPCC National Committee's Committee on Social and Legal Affairs to East China's Anhui province from Dec 23 to 27 to survey local efforts related to the judicial protection of intellectual property (IP).

The team visited the cities of Wuhu, Ma'anshan and Hefei, where they commended the province's progress in adhering to an innovation-driven development strategy, with a focus on protection while striving to be a hub for technological innovation.

Zhou emphasized the importance of fostering and developing new quality productive forces, and intensifying efforts in IP administrative law enforcement and judicial protection to stimulate innovation and promote high-quality development.

Zhou called for a systematic approach to better align high-quality development with high-level security, empowering economic innovation and supporting high-level opening-up. 

He also underscored the need for increased research on IP-related frontline issues in core technologies in key fields such as big data, artificial intelligence, and quantum technology, while improving institutional frameworks to support comprehensive innovation.

Coordinated efforts are needed to advance the modernization of IP protection systems and capabilities in an integrated manner as well as to reinforce full-chain protection, Zhou said. He also stressed the need for strengthening overseas IP protection for Chinese enterprises and participating in global IP governance to foster an innovation-friendly international environment.

In addition, Zhou called on the CPPCC to maximize its role as a specialized consultative body, offering suggestions and fostering consensus to strengthen IP law enforcement and judicial protection, thereby supporting the development of new quality productive forces.