Geographical indication (GI) marks the place of origin of specific products, which often relates to good quality, renowned reputation and local specialties.

To optimize the positive effect of GIs, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) published the 14th Five-Year Plan on the Protection and Use of Geographical Indications. As the first five-year plan on GI, it specifies the guiding philosophy, purposes, primary missions and supporting measures of GI protection and utilization during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).

The Plan puts forward three main goals, including strengthening the basis of GI protection, increasing benefits of utilizing GIs, and expanding the range of mutual recognition & guarantee of GIs, and six prospective indicators such as quantity of GI certification and quantity of bodies using GIs.
Several key tasks are deployed in the Plan as well, in order to enhance the management of GIs and promote international communication. The Geographical Indications Protection Project and the Geographical Indications Utilization Promotion Project are highlighted as two special projects.

Based on the preliminary research results, the Food and Agriculture Standardization Sub-Institute of CNIS participated in the formulation of the Plan, offering technical support to build a GI powerhouse. CNIS will further leverage its edge on GI research and provide theoretical foundation for GI protection in China.