In the Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone lies the Science and Technology Innovation Public Service Center, which can assist with intellectual property display and trading. [Photo/WeChat ID: hefeigaoxinfabu]

Hefei National High-Tech Industry Development Zone was listed as one of 22 national demonstration zones for building China into an intellectual property rights (IPR) powerhouse by the China National Intellectual Property Administration on Aug 15, being the only place in Anhui province to make the list.

According to official statistics, the number of valid invention patents in the zone has reached 12,040 and the number of valid invention patents reached 446 per 10,000 people, taking the lead across the country.

With the goal of becoming a world-leading science and technology park, the zone has seen intellectual property as a core advantage of its innovation-driven development in recent years.

With tougher IPR protection, local government has been enhancing the creation, application, and management of intellectual property. The zone has also received approval as a National Intellectual Property Demonstration Zone, a National Pilot Zone for the Development of the Intellectual Property Service Industry, and a Practice Base for Examiners from the China National Intellectual Property Administration.