Han Jun, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, met with Daren Tang, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Secretary-General of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), in Beijing on March 28. They exchanged views on strengthening cooperation in agricultural sci-tech innovation and intellectual property.  

Han Jun stated that the Chinese government has been committed to agricultural sci-tech innovation and intellectual property protection. Currently, the advances in China’s agricultural science and technology contributes to over 63% of agricultural production, with cutting-edge applicable achievements continuously emerging in science and technology. China ranks first globally in the number of agricultural scientific papers published and agricultural invention patent applications. China has also ranked first among UPOV members in the annual amount of PVP applications for eight years in a row. Han Jun emphasized that China is ready to work together with WIPO and UPOV, to enhance communications, exchanges, and information sharing, and further deepen cooperation in areas such as smart equipment, big data, water-saving irrigation, and biopesticides. China also hopes to share its experience in formulating PVP-related laws and regulations and research on testing technology, so as to jointly ensure that agricultural sci-tech innovation can better benefit people around the world. 

Daren Tang spoke highly of China’s historic achievements in safeguarding food security and reducing poverty and commended China for playing a crucial role in fostering global agricultural innovation. He said WIPO and UPOV are ready to strengthen policy dialogue, talent exchange, and project cooperation with China in areas such as agricultural intellectual property and protection of new plant varieties.  

Vice Minister Zhang Xingwang and WIPO Deputy Director General Wang Binying attended the meeting.