China has solidified its position as a global innovation leader with intellectual property holdings reaching unprecedented levels by the end of 2025. According to the China National Intellectual Property Administration, the mainland now holds 5.32 million valid invention patents, representing one of the world’s largest portfolios of protected intellectual innovations.
The administration’s year-end report revealed remarkable progress across multiple metrics. Throughout 2025, Chinese authorities granted 972,000 new invention patents while significantly streamlining application processing times to just 15 months. This efficiency improvement demonstrates China’s commitment to fostering an innovation-friendly regulatory environment.
Per capita measurements further underscore the nation’s technological advancement. The average ownership of high-value invention patents reached 16 patents per 10,000 people, indicating widespread innovation activity across Chinese society.
The trademark landscape similarly experienced explosive growth, with over 4.2 million trademarks registered in 2025 alone. The cumulative total of effectively registered trademarks approached the 50 million milestone, reaching 49.87 million by year’s end.
China’s brand value achievement places the nation firmly among global leaders. With Chinese brands accounting for $1.81 trillion in value among the world’s top 5,000 brands, China now ranks second globally in brand valuation, reflecting the international market’s recognition of Chinese products and services.
These developments occur amid China’s broader push toward technological self-reliance and innovation-driven growth, positioning intellectual property rights as a cornerstone of the nation’s economic strategy.