Tracing China’s 75-Year Innovation Journey Through Intellectual Property Milestones

The evolution of intellectual property (IP) in China offers a revealing perspective on the country’s 75-year trajectory of innovation and economic development. Since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, IP initiatives have been instrumental in protecting individual inventions, enhancing enterprise competitiveness, and driving scientific advancement.

A defining moment occurred on April 1, 1985, when China’s Patent Law came into effect. On that day, Hu Guohua, an aerospace engineer, submitted the nation’s first invention patent application, queuing overnight outside the national patent office. This milestone sparked a surge in patent activity, with over 3,400 applications filed that day from domestic and international applicants—a record at the time.

Eight months later, Hu received the patent certificate for his invention: a color display device designed to assist in satellite image analysis. His achievement was widely publicized, and Hu became celebrated as China’s first patent rights holder. Now 83 years old, Hu continues to innovate; recently, an astronomical observatory installed a solar simulator luminescent device he patented, demonstrating his ongoing contributions to science and technology.

Reflecting on early IP awareness, Hu noted that in the 1960s most Chinese citizens were unfamiliar with intellectual property concepts. Researchers shared inventions through recommendation letters, which facilitated technology dissemination but failed to protect individual creators’ rights, ultimately limiting sustained innovation.

Since the 1980s, China has enacted a comprehensive suite of IP laws, including the Trademark Law, Patent Law, and Copyright Law. These statutes have undergone continuous revisions informed by practical experience to strengthen legal protections. Notably, the recently adopted Civil Code introduced a punitive damages system for infringement cases, aligning China’s IP enforcement standards with international best practices.

The central government has prioritized IP protection, implementing measures to improve administrative efficiency and combat infringement. Hu’s original patent certificate, now part of the National Museum of China’s collection, symbolizes the country’s IP progress. Today, patent certificates are commonplace across China.

By the end of 2023, China became the first country worldwide to hold over 4 million valid invention patents. Its international patent filings have also skyrocketed—from just 98 applications through the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 1994 to 59,000 in 2019—securing China’s position as the leading global source of international patent applications.

Chinese enterprises have been the primary drivers of this growth. While cost competitiveness once dominated their market strategies, the trend toward international expansion has shifted focus toward IP strength. Companies now recognize that innovation is essential for sustainable development.

Goodbaby Group exemplifies this shift. In 2014, the Chinese child products manufacturer filed a design patent for a stroller made from lightweight aerospace-grade aluminum alloy, weighing only 4.6 kilograms. Dubbed the “pocket stroller” for its portability, the product revolutionized the industry. That same year, Goodbaby expanded globally through mergers and acquisitions.

Upon entering international markets, Goodbaby faced significant patent infringement challenges. The company successfully defended its rights through litigation domestically and abroad. Today, its core patents for the stroller are authorized in over 30 countries, underscoring the importance of robust IP protection for Chinese innovators competing on the world stage.

This 75-year journey highlights how China’s evolving intellectual property system has been integral to fostering innovation, protecting creators, and supporting economic growth. From Hu Guohua’s pioneering patent to the global reach of enterprises like Goodbaby, China’s IP landscape continues to mature and influence the global innovation ecosystem.