GI helps to unleash business potential of local specialities and alleviate rural poverty
China is unlocking its potential for geographical indication products, with improved policies, increasing use of e-commerce platforms and cooperation with foreign front-runners, experts said at the recent China Intellectual Property Annual Conference in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province.
As an internationally well-received IP item, GI is playing an important role in balancing urban and rural development, promoting international trade and serving the regional economy. It is also in the interest of society to develop rural areas.
Sangzhi county in Zhangjiajie city, Hunan province, is one such area in China. The county boasts high-quality yet lesser-known specialties including white tea, honey, radishes and giant salamanders.
A government official from Sangzhi announced at the session that the county had made substantial progress in its GI renewal plan, in cooperation with leading Chinese social media platform Sina Weibo and Intellectual Property Publishing House.
Sina Weibo has invited celebrities with huge followings to help with the county's GI promotion.
Guenther Marten, minister counselor of the European Union delegation to China, said that China is about to agree with the EU on the recognition of 100 European GIs in China and 100 Chinese GIs in Europe.
Consumers pay not only for good quality, but also for unique features. High-quality GI products are sold at a premium price, which is expected to happen in China too, Marten said.
For China, it takes more than recognition to have a successful GI - the real challenges lie in the implementation and control, where the EU has practical experiences, Marten said.
As of June 2019, a total of 5,090 GI trademarks had been registered across the country, 2,380 GI products had been approved nationwide, 8,295 enterprises have been allowed to use GI signs and 24 national GI product protection demonstration zones had been established in the country, according to organizers.
Source: China Daily
