To bolster its status as a national intellectual property rights (IPR) powerhouse, Tianhe district in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong province, has been advancing its efforts to become a pilot district (county) for strong IPR development.

With a focus on enhancing IPR management, optimizing services, fostering high-quality growth, and facilitating efficient utilization, the district strives to establish itself as a stronghold for IPR protection, refining its business environment to propel high-quality economic development.

In 2024, Tianhe saw a remarkable surge in patent authorizations, with 18,303 patents granted, including 8,896 invention patents. It also witnessed many trademark applications, totaling 68,722, with 577,116 trademarks registered.

The district has also been instrumental in driving the growth of regional IPR pledge financing. Between 2022 and 2024, a cumulative IPR pledge financing amount of 14.9 billion yuan ($2 billion) was achieved, with 2024 marking a milestone as the IPR pledge financing reached 82.22 billion yuan.

Tianhe district launched the country's first IPR securitization product on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange around modern smart agriculture. The initial issuance reached 200 million yuan, broadening the financing approaches for agricultural technology enterprises while reducing financing costs.

Establishing the first Guangzhou IPR Financial Empowerment Alliance for Small and Medium Enterprises marked a significant step forward, with 37 key entities selected as inaugural alliance members.