China's top intellectual property regulator is intensifying efforts to bolster IP protection for emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence and big data as part of a broader strategy to support the development of new quality productive forces, a senior official said.

"Intellectual property is a strategic asset for national growth and a core component of international competitiveness," Shen Changyu, head of the China National Intellectual Property Administration, told China Daily in an exclusive interview ahead of World Intellectual Property Day on April 26.

His remark coincided with the upcoming annual National Intellectual Property Publicity Week, which highlights IP-related achievements nationwide and runs from Monday to Sunday.

Shen noted that as technological revolutions and industrial transformations accelerate, emerging technologies such as AI, integrated circuits, biomedicine, quantum technology, 6G communications and brain-computer interfaces are reshaping economic structures and creating new demands for IP protection.

To encourage innovation and support high-quality development, the administration has implemented several measures and seen significant progress, Shen said. He emphasized the need to continuously refine the legal framework, expedite trademark and patent reviews, and optimize services to boost IP commercialization in emerging fields.

In 2025, among China's valid invention patents, those from the fields of computer and medical technologies recorded the fastest growth rate, while AI patents topped global rankings. The number of trademark registrations related to AI and other emerging sectors touched 324,300, bringing the total number of valid trademarks in these fields to 4.39 million by the end of 2025, a 5.94 percent increase from the previous year.

"These figures indicate sustained enthusiasm for trademarks in emerging areas, reflecting both growing innovation vitality and heightened trademark protection awareness among technology players," Shen said.

The administration has streamlined procedures and optimized rules to improve the quality and efficiency of IP reviews. A patent review guideline was revised thrice — in 2019, 2023, and 2025 — to specifically address AI-related applications.

"The latest version introduces a dedicated section on AI and Big Data for the first time, with a strong focus on ethical oversight," Shen said. "It clarifies that core technical aspects must align with legal standards, social morals and public interest, to fortify safety guardrails and promote AI development in a healthy manner."

Shen noted that the administration is actively participating in revising the Trademark Law and the Integrated Circuit Layout Design Protection Regulation to respond to public concerns, as well as to serve the development and protection of core technologies.

The draft revision to the Trademark Law was submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, for the first review last year. It targeted problems like malicious registration and misuse of trademarks, responding to the pressing need for stronger protection of AI-driven innovations, he said.

Furthermore, the administration has released 890 acceptable goods and service items related to big data, AI, and other new sectors. "This resolves practical issues such as the lack of corresponding categories for trademark registration in emerging fields and unclear protection boundaries," Shen said.

"This move lowers branding costs for businesses and reduces infringement risks. Ultimately, it optimizes the innovation and business environments, providing solid IP support for the healthy and orderly growth of strategic emerging and future industries."

Thanks to these efforts, the average trademark examination period remained stable at four months in 2025, while the average invention patent review period was reduced to 15 months, both being the fastest globally for examinations of this kind, he added.

Shen highlighted the crucial role of patent commercialization, stating, "It bridges innovation and industry and is a key focus for developing new quality productive forces." In 2025, the administration accredited 65 centers — 48 of them involve emerging industries — dedicated to supporting IP commercialization and promoting the synergistic development of IP and industry.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, the administration provided specialized public services, including IP search and analysis, industrial navigation, infringement warnings, overseas rights protection, and training to over 50,000 enterprises.

"We've also actively engaged in international exchanges and cooperation on emerging IP issues via multilateral and bilateral channels. By working closely with the World Intellectual Property Organization and foreign IP offices to coordinate AI-related governance, we aim to ensure China's voice is heard and its influence grows in the global IP landscape," Shen noted.

Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period, Shen said the administration will continue to focus on the core issues of innovation in emerging fields, constantly refining the IP-related legal framework while tracking industry trends.