China reaches 53 million registered invention patents by 2025

China has achieved a significant milestone in intellectual property, registering over 5.3 million invention patents as of 2025. This development marks a pivotal transition toward a quality-focused and innovation-driven economy, underscoring the nation's growing commitment to enhancing its intellectual property landscape.

Data from the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) indicates that this impressive figure has made China the first country globally to surpass the 5 million patent mark. The People's Daily highlighted this achievement, noting an upward trajectory in valid invention patents during China's 14th Five-Year Plan period from 2021 to 2025.

During this period, the CNIPA reported that the number of active invention patents surged to 16 high-value patents for every 10,000 people. This sustained growth has further solidified China's position as a leading force in global patent filings, marking years of dominance in this area.

Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, commented on this transformation, explaining that China is evolving from merely being a major intellectual property owner to an intellectual property powerhouse. This trajectory reflects a significant change in the approach to innovation and patent acquisition.

Notably, the pace at which China is accumulating patents has accelerated markedly. It took 31 years for China to achieve its first million valid invention patents, but it reached the milestone of 5 million in a mere 19 months, showcasing a rapid enhancement in innovation capabilities.

This shift indicates a deeper change in China's economic framework, transitioning from mere quantity in patent accumulation to emphasizing quality and the application value of innovations. The increase in research and development investment, alongside robust innovation from both businesses and academic institutions, has played a crucial role in this evolution.

By the end of 2025, the administration reported that China held approximately 2.292 million high-value invention patents, with around 70 percent concentrated in strategic emerging industries. This indicates a focus on sectors critical for future technological advancements.

China dominates in various high-tech fields, claiming about 60 percent of global artificial intelligence patents. Additionally, patents related to robotics make up approximately two-thirds of global filings, and the country has consistently led international publications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty in green and low-carbon technologies for several years.

The improvements in the quality of patent creation and the ongoing optimization of the patent structure support China's aspirations for high-level scientific and technological self-reliance, which is vital for developing new productive forces within the nation.

On a global scale, China's advancements underscore its increasing influence in technology competition and collaboration. Domestically, there is a pressing need to further optimize the innovation ecosystem and enhance patent quality to effectively translate these developments into economic competitiveness.

Moreover, the CNIPA noted a growing number of foreign rights holders participating in China's intellectual property framework, with over 922,000 valid invention patents attributed to foreign applicants by January 2026. This trend reflects enhanced protection of intellectual property in China, encouraging more international firms to seek patents within the country.