"As globalization continues, we are witnessing tremendous growth in the importance of patents to science, trade and the economy," said He Hua, vice-commissioner of China's State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO).

"The patent has become a major tool to compete in the market, a necessary element in the investment climate and a key to world business."

As a result, SIPO has formulated a master plan to guide the nation's patent strategy over the next year.

Unveiled in Beijing on Nov 9, the plan includes 10 nationwide programs to improve patent quality, protection, commercialization, related services and personnel. Each program is supported by a series of detailed measures.

Provincial intellectual property authorities are also involved in the effort and will organize specialized work teams to carry out the programs.

Under the national plan, around 30 patent pools from industry associations will be founded over the next year that will allow member companies and organizations in the same industry to cross-license patents, with leading companies expected to play a major role.

The program also plans to assist in international patent and trade disputes. Authorities have been helping Chinese companies apply for patents overseas and will provide aid to help protect their intellectual property on the world market.

The system will include guidance, analysis and patent warnings for Chinese companies doing business overseas.

"The programs not only promote the patent strategy itself, but also aim to serve national economic development," said Xiao Xingwei, a group leader in the central government's Discipline Inspection Committee assigned to SIPO.

The fifth China Patent Week kicked off on the same day that the plan was unveiled.

"As China seeks new development and is on the way to building a country of innovation, now is the right time to carry out the patent strategy," said SIPO Commissioner Tian Lipu.

The annual nationwide Patent Week aims to improve awareness, encourage invention and promote commercialization of proprietary intellectual property, according to Ma Weiye, director of SIPO's Patent Management Department.

The latest statistics from SIPO showed that 52,900 patent applications were filed in Beijing in the first nine months of this year, an increase of 37.1 percent from the same period last year. More than 32,000 were approved, up 25.4 percent.

The capital city now has 25 patents per 10,000 people, the highest in the country.