INTA Delegation to China Empowers Chinese Brands for Global Market Expansion

In July, INTA led a high-level delegation to China, headed by INTA CEO Etienne Sanz de Acedo. The visit, which included engagements with senior government officials, Corporate Members, and key partners of the intellectual property (IP) community in China, marked a significant step in demonstrating the Association’s commitment to supporting Chinese brands’ global expansion efforts.

A key highlight of the visit was the launch of the second installment of INTA’s Know Before You Go report series. Drafted in Mandarin, the series now includes 30 jurisdiction-specific guides focusing on the EU, the United States, and emerging markets in Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. The reports offer invaluable strategies for navigating international business landscapes and protecting IP abroad—covering critical areas such as trademark prosecution, enforcement, and protection.

For the second year in a row, Mr. Sanz de Acedo gave a keynote speech at the annual China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE). This followed the signing of a pivotal memorandum of understanding between INTA and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) in November 2024. During the CISCE, Mr. Sanz de Acedo held a productive meeting with CCPIT Vice Chairman Yu Jianlong, where he emphasized that the Association would continue to work with key Chinese stakeholders to address supply chain risks and the role IP plays in the ecosystem of globalization.

The delegation also engaged directly with a broad spectrum of Chinese enterprises across diverse industry sectors, including biopharmaceuticals, Internet services, and telecommunications. Gaining firsthand intelligence on the business and IP challenges and opportunities affecting these industries—amid shifting trade dynamics and geopolitical landscapes—has helped INTA further develop the Association’s extensive member benefits and resources as part of the ongoing implementation of the recently unveiled 2026-2029 Strategic Plan.

Furthering its policy advocacy, the delegation held constructive meetings with key Chinese government and judicial bodies. In a meeting with the Supreme People’s Court (SPC), Chief Judge Li Jian commended INTA’s pivotal role in fostering international cooperation and providing a vital platform for showcasing China’s advancements in judicial IP protection. He noted that he looks forward to participating in INTA’s 2026 Annual Meeting in London.

Officials from the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) and Beijing Intellectual Property Office (BJIPO) welcomed continued dialogues with INTA, acknowledging the Association’s valuable contributions to the development of China’s IP landscape, and the immense support INTA has provided to the internationalization of Chinese brands.

The visit solidified INTA’s status as a global IP leader and the unique role it plays in the globalization of Chinese brands, championing a future of IP-driven innovation and international collaboration to benefit brand owners and consumers alike.

INTA’s China Representative Office, based in Beijing, represents the Association’s members in China. Working in collaboration with staff at INTA’s headquarters in New York City, the China Representative Office leads the Association’s policy, membership, marketing, and communications initiatives in this jurisdiction. To learn more about INTA’s activities in China, please contact INTA Chief Representative for China Monica Su, and follow us on WeChat.

Although every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of this article, readers are urged to check independently on matters of specific concern or interest.

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