DALIAN, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- In a country home to over 5 million patented innovations, securing a gold patent award is a remarkable achievement.

The 2025 China Patent Awards were presented to winners at the 14th China International Patent Fair held earlier this week in the city of Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province. A total of 30 inventions and utility models, along with 10 industrial designs, received gold awards, the highest honor for Chinese patents.

They not only showcase the forefront of innovation in China but also offer solutions to addressing global challenges.

Among the top-award patents, several focus on innovative green technologies that can support low-carbon development.

Researchers at China Petrochemical Corporation received a gold award for their innovative high-strength flue gas denitration catalyst, which can effectively remove harmful components from power plant emissions before they are released into the air.

At the fair, the exhibition booth of this state-owned petrochemical enterprise also featured several displays highlighting the development of its most advanced hydrogen fuel technology.

Several NEV makers obtained prizes, but BYD stood out by securing two gold awards: one for its battery technology and another for the car exterior design. Apart from displaying various gleaming vehicles, the Shenzhen-based company attracted wide media attention by highlighting its patent achievements on its exhibition wall: it has filed 65,000 patent applications to date, averaging 45 filings per day.

In his speech delivered at the awarding ceremony on Monday, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Director General Daren Tang praised China's strong momentum in its green transition, citing its fast growth of outputs in industries such as EV, battery and solar.

Noting China's technology advancements in new energy sectors, he said, "These solutions will be critical for the world to transition into the green economy."

President of the European Patent Office (EPO) António Campinos delivered a video message at the awarding ceremony, commending China's growth in patent filings to Europe, particularly in battery-related technologies, which surged by 79 percent last year.

He also mentioned that in June, the EPO awarded a Chinese woman the Young Inventors' Prize for co-inventing a groundbreaking retrofittable carbon capture system that enables shipowners to reduce emissions without replacing their existing fleets. "A solution with global potential," Campinos said.

Several other gold award-winning Chinese patents, including a catalyst that extends the operation period of coal-to-oil synthesis devices, a method for environmentally friendly conversion and use of vegetable oil, and the development of titanium-aluminum (TiAl) alloy materials, which are lightweight metals used for making spacecraft and aircraft, have also contributed to improving resource efficiency and reducing energy consumption across industries, supporting sustainable development.

Green transition is not just the responsibility of large tech giants. Dalian Talent Group, a Chinese producer of scented candles, also made its low-carbon contribution with its innovations.

Although its exhibition booth was small, it drew crowds of visitors with a variety of candles, including a patented product that features green technology.

According to Liu Xiu, director of the company's sustainable development department, this "low-carbon" candle uses Africa-origin shea butter instead of traditional wax, offering a long-lasting fragrance that lasts up to 70 hours while producing carbon emissions only 7.9 percent of those of traditional candles.

Although the patent filed in 2014 has not yet received patent awards, it was honored with a prize for scientific and technological progress in China's light industry.

Liu added that this patented product not only improved the environmental performance of scented candles but also generated stable incomes for local women in Africa through the sustainable sourcing of shea butter raw materials. This delivers both environmental and socio-economic benefits.

"Patent protection gives us greater confidence in participating in global competition," Liu said, adding that the company's products have been sold in over 100 countries, and research institutes have been established in countries like Germany and France.

Many award-winning patents are related to life and health, including a domestically developed innovative human papillomavirus vaccine for the prevention of cervical cancer. Co-inventor Li Shaowei, a professor from Xiamen University, said the Chinese patent has been commercialized at a much lower cost compared to imported vaccines and has secured market authorization in over 20 countries.

"More women from low-income countries will have the opportunity to benefit from this Chinese patent," Li told Xinhua.

The researcher said that although he has received many accolades over the years, being honored with the top patent award brought him a heartfelt sense of pride.

An antibody therapy for patients suffering from anemia and cancer, and a medical device designed for minimally invasive cardiac procedures, also gained gold awards. They have been helping people at home and abroad live healthier and longer.

Since 1989, the China Patent Awards have been co-organized by the China National Intellectual Property Administration and the WIPO. This year, they selected these 40 gold award-winning patents from a total of 2,900 candidates nominated by various government departments, national industry associations, and academicians.

Besides, 75 patents gained silver awards, and over 650 gained excellence awards.

(Source: Xinhua)