China and WIPO Strengthen Cooperation on Agricultural Innovation and Intellectual Property

Han Jun, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, met with Daren Tang, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Secretary-General of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), in Beijing to discuss enhanced collaboration in agricultural sci-tech innovation and intellectual property protection.

During the meeting, Han Jun highlighted China’s significant progress in agricultural technology, noting that advancements in agricultural science and technology now contribute to over 63% of the country’s agricultural production. He emphasized that China leads globally in the number of published agricultural scientific papers and agricultural invention patent applications. Additionally, China has topped UPOV members in annual Plant Variety Protection (PVP) applications for eight consecutive years.

Han Jun expressed China’s willingness to deepen cooperation with WIPO and UPOV in key areas such as smart equipment, big data, water-saving irrigation, and biopesticides. He also offered to share China’s experience in formulating PVP-related laws, regulations, and testing technologies to ensure agricultural innovation benefits people worldwide.

Daren Tang praised China’s historic achievements in food security and poverty reduction, acknowledging its pivotal role in advancing global agricultural innovation. He affirmed WIPO and UPOV’s commitment to strengthening policy dialogue, talent exchange, and project cooperation with China, particularly in agricultural intellectual property and new plant variety protection.

The meeting was attended by Vice Minister Zhang Xingwang and WIPO Deputy Director General Wang Binying.

Both sides agreed to further enhance communication and collaboration to promote sustainable agricultural development through innovation and intellectual property protection.