Cross-Border Data Sovereignty through Key Management

Controlling cross-border data flows is part of China’s decoupling. Beijing wants to avoid losing control over data in the digital world and thus forfeiting digital sovereignty, i.e. strategic autonomy and room to maneuver. Innovative Western companies are also hesitant when it comes to cross-border digital networking with Chinese companies – for example, in the internationalization… Continue reading Cross-Border Data Sovereignty through Key Management

General mobilization in basic research

In a bid to boost basic research in the intensifying technology war between China and the U.S., Shenzhen, the southern Chinese technology hub, is making state-funded scientific equipment costing more than RMB 500,000 (USD 71,623) available to individuals and organizations for research purposes. Basic research is high on Shenzhen’s agenda, and the city plans to… Continue reading General mobilization in basic research

New Year, New Guidance Documents: China Improves IP Protection

The China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) released information on the implementation of the Opinions on Strengthening Intellectual Property Protection (关于强化知识产权保护的意见) in late October 2022. They explain how amendments to the 2021 Patent Law will be implemented in practice. In addition, CNIPA aims to complete the revision and concretization of the Patent Law Implementation Rules… Continue reading New Year, New Guidance Documents: China Improves IP Protection

Security, Science and Technology

Political speeches and documents are known to provide valid clues to future developments in the PRC. Analysts therefore try to extract priorities and orientations from the phraseology, word choice, and frequency of terms related to the 20th Party Congress. In doing so, they also take into account minor changes in phrases that have appeared at… Continue reading Security, Science and Technology

New data exchange in Canton

China has launched another data exchange in Nansha, Guangzhou. So far, more than 300 traders and companies have applied to join the Data Exchange, and around 200 trading objects have already been registered. These are data products, services and capabilities in areas such as artificial intelligence, intelligent transportation, smart manufacturing, smart finance, business services, medicine… Continue reading New data exchange in Canton

Beijing unveils two-year Metaverse plan

China is now taking the Metaverse for a big leap. The project is based on the Beijing Urban Sub-Center Metaverse Innovation and Development Action Plan (2022- 2024), which was published in August 2022. The Chinese capital’s innovation plan stipulates that all urban districts should increasingly promote industries and companies that have a connection to the… Continue reading Beijing unveils two-year Metaverse plan

Lack of Confidentiality Review: CNIPA Declares Patent Invalid

In May 2022, for the first time in Chinese history, a Chinese patent was fully invalidated by the CNIPA examination board (Decision 55586) because the patentee failed to apply for a confidentiality examination before filing the first foreign application. According to Article 20.1 of the Chinese Patent Law, any invention made in or partly made… Continue reading Lack of Confidentiality Review: CNIPA Declares Patent Invalid

Arbitration in the Field of Intellectual Property

To minimize IPR risks and properly resolve cross-border trade disputes, the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) established the IPR Arbitration Centre in July 2022, specializing in IPR dispute resolution. CIETAC has extensive experience and an outstanding team of experts in the field of IP dispute resolution. In the past five years, CIETAC… Continue reading Arbitration in the Field of Intellectual Property

Establishment of Corporate IP Compliance

In the context of building a dual circulation system and creating a unified domestic market, China is guiding all enterprises to strengthen their compliance management to prevent business risks at home and abroad, promote modernization and transformation, and improve competitiveness. The compliance system is to cover areas such as market transactions, environment, human resources, finance,… Continue reading Establishment of Corporate IP Compliance

Recoupling through Controlled Localization

The Ukraine conflict is increasingly impacting the business of foreign companies in China. China is responding to massive Western sanctions on Russia by accelerating decoupling in order to become self-sufficient more quickly. Western companies are responding by recoupling their Chinese branch or subsidiary through controlled localization. Headquarters are putting their Chinese subsidiaries back on a… Continue reading Recoupling through Controlled Localization