Highlights

• China becomes the first country to surpass 5 million valid domestic invention patents, claiming ownership of 60% of global AI patents and two-thirds of robotics patents.
• China added its fifth million patents in just 19 months and leads in international PCT filings for green technologies, signaling dominance in strategic sectors.
• Foreign entities hold over 922,000 valid patents in China, while Chinese banks have issued $125 billion in IP-backed loans since the current Five-Year Plan.

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China says it now holds more than 5.32 million valid domestic invention patents, making it the first country in the world to surpass the 5 million mark. It also claims ownership of roughly 60% of global artificial intelligence patents and about two-thirds of global robotics-related patents, according to data released by China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (opens in a new tab) and reported by People’s Daily.

Patent filings in China have ranked first globally for several consecutive years, officials said. During the current Five-Year Plan period, the number of “high-value” invention patents per 10,000 people reached 16. By the end of 2025, China reported 2.29 million high-value patents domestically, with about 70% concentrated in strategic emerging industries.

The speed of accumulation is striking. China took 31 years to reach its first 1 million valid invention patents. It reportedly added its fifth million in just 19 months.

Why This Matters

The headline figures reinforce Beijing’s push toward technological self-sufficiency and industrial dominance in sectors that matter globally: AI, robotics, green energy, and advanced manufacturing.

China also claims to lead the world in international Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) filings for green and low-carbon technologies for multiple consecutive years. If accurate, that suggests a growing pipeline of globally protected clean-tech innovations — potentially shaping future export markets and standards competition with the United States and Europe.

For Western businesses, the robotics and AI patent share claims are particularly significant. If China truly controls 60% of global AI-related patents and two-thirds of robotics patents, it could strengthen its leverage in licensing, standards-setting, and future cross-border IP disputes.

Enforcement and Commercialization

China reports that average patent review times have been reduced to 15 months, which it describes as among the fastest globally under comparable systems. It also says banks have issued more than 900 billion yuan (roughly $125 billion) in intellectual property–backed loans since the start of the current Five-Year Plan.

Foreign participation appears to be growing as well. As of January 2026, foreign entities reportedly hold more than 922,000 valid invention patents in China.

A Note of Caution

This report originated with People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party, and was released by a state-affiliated industry association. While the numbers may reflect official filings, independent verification and context are necessary — particularly regarding patent quality, enforceability, and global comparability.

Implications

Still, the message is clear: China is positioning itself not just as a manufacturing power, but as a dominant intellectual property force in next-generation technologies. How does this unfolding dynamic interplay with the rare earth monopoly?