Over 50,000 patents in 2016, over 110,000 in 2025, annual growth of 17.1 percent, and strengthening positions in the US, Japanese and European markets

As reported by CCTV+, over the past decade, intellectual property rights have become the foundation of electric and intelligent technologies in China’s automotive industry. This has led to global market competitiveness.

The China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC) holds an annual conference on intellectual property in the automotive sector in Wuhan, Hubei Province. According to the center, China maintains its position as the world leader in the number of automotive patents. Major countries and regions — the US, Japan and Europe — recognize this fact.

The number of patents granted in the new energy vehicle sector grew from 50,000 in 2016 to 110,000 in 2025. Annual growth was 17.1 percent. The number of patents for intelligent vehicles grew from 44,000 to 93,000 over the same period, with an annual growth rate of 11.6 percent.

Chinese automakers are actively registering patents abroad — in more than five countries and regions.

Zhang Xin, head of the R&D academy of Dongfeng Motor Corporation, explained: “Last year, we filed more than 50,000 patents, including part of our inventions. In overseas markets, we are focusing on deploying our devices and brands on platforms such as re-export in Europe and Southeast Asia. We are also creating monitoring mechanisms and risk early warning systems for intellectual property at the international level.”

Experts note that the global automotive industry is undergoing a phase of deep transformation. Patents in areas such as algorithms and electronic devices are rapidly gaining momentum. The number of applications in these technologies has multiplied over the past five years. Intellectual property in these sectors plays a central role in the new automotive world.

Wang Junlei, chief expert of CATARC, stated: “Faced with the growing number of applications from abroad, China’s automotive industry will accelerate the development of its intellectual property system, strengthen its global patent portfolio, create early warning mechanisms and train specialists for international cooperation. All this will ensure high-quality development of the sector and its global expansion, thanks to intellectual property.”

China is not just producing electric vehicles. It is patenting the future. 110,000 patents are not just a number. They are a barrier for competitors. While other countries are catching up, China is already registering algorithms, electronics and control systems. Europe, the US and Japan recognize the leadership. Dongfeng Motor patents not only in China, but also in Southeast Asia and Europe. The question is not whether China can maintain its leadership. The question is how long it will take the rest of the world to understand that the automotive era has been replaced by the era of intellectual property. And patents are the new fuel. Of which China has an abundance.