China as an emerging rule-maker in multilateral intellectual property cooperation

Authors

  • Huang Zeyan Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

Keywords:

intellectual property cooperation, international intellectual property, multilateral cooperation, rule-making, global governance

Abstract

This article explores China’s evolving role in multilateral cooperation on international intellectual property. It traces China’s transformation from a rule-taker to a rule-maker, examining the historical developments, driving forces, practical actions, challenges, and future outlook. The international intellectual property system, a central element of global economic governance, is undergoing significant change. At the same time, China, now the world’s second-largest economy, is redefining its position in ways that reflect its domestic development, advances in the rule of law, and broader shifts in international power structures towards multipolarity. Through historical analysis and case studies, the article assesses the impact of this evolution on global intellectual property governance and offers recommendations for future development.

Author Biography

  • Huang Zeyan, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    postgraduate student at the department of international law, faculty of international relations

References

  1. Feng Xiaoqing. Achievements and prospects of China’s intellectual property protection in the context of international cooperation. Chinese Rule of Law. 2024;2:103–107. Chinese.
  2. Feng Xiaoqing. Research on the transformation of international intellectual property system and development strategies. People’s Tribune. 2019;23:110–113. Chinese.
  3. Feng Xiaoqing. On intellectual property jurisprudence with Chinese characteristics in the new era. Intellectual Property. 2020;4:3–15. Chinese.
  4. Ma Fazhong. Development trends of international intellectual property legal system and China’s response. Business and Economic Law Review. 2024;3:1–23. Chinese.
  5. Gu Zuxue, Jie Jie. TRIPS-plus agreement: characteristics, impact and China’s countermeasures. Seeker. 2008;8:137–139. Chinese.
  6. Wu Fei. On the basic path of Chinese modernisation and development of intellectual property legal system based on some considerations since the reform and opening-up. Journal of the Party School of CPC Zhengzhou Municipal Committee. 2019;5:55–60. Chinese.
  7. He Qisheng. The territoriality of intellectual property in international judicial. Modern Law Science. 2022;4:78–88. Chinese.
  8. Gao Xuefeng, Liu Yajun. Cooperation on intellectual property protection and achievement of sustainable development goals under the Belt and road initiative. Social Scientist. 2020;5:128–134. Chinese.
  9. Peter KYu. The rise of China in the international intellectual property regime. In: Zeng Ka, editor. Handbook on the international political economy of China. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing; 2019. p. 424–444.
  10. Brander JA, Cu V, Vertinsky I. China and intellectual property rights: a challenge to the rule of law. Journal of International Business Studies. 2017;48(7):908–921.
  11. Muehlfeld K, Wang Mei. Intellectual property rights in China – a literature review on the public’s perspective. Frontiers in Sociology. 2022;7:1–11. DOI: 10.3389/fsoc.2022.793165.
  12. Cheng W. China engages with the global intellectual property governance: the recent trend. The Journal of World Intellectual Property. 2019;22(3–4):146–161. DOI: 10.1111/jwip.12122.
  13. Cheng W. China in global governance of intellectual property: implications for global distributive justice. London: Palgrave Macmillan; 2023. 317 p.
  14. Devonshire-Ellis C, Scott A, Woollard S. Intellectual property rights in China. New York: Springer; 2011. 60 p.
  15. Толкачева НС. Российско-китайское сотрудничество в сфере административно-правовой защиты интеллектуальных прав. Образование и право. 2024;3:330–335.
  16. Пыжиков НС. Особенности регулирования прав интеллектуальной собственности в КНР. Российский внешнеэкономический вестник. 2018;4:105–118.
  17. Yang Xiongwen, Zhang Wenyi. The uncertainty and its constrained path of intellectual property litigation. Journal of South China University of Technology. Social Science Edition. 2021;2:73–82. Chinese.

Downloads

Published

2025-12-24

How to Cite

[1]
Zeyan, H. 2025. China as an emerging rule-maker in multilateral intellectual property cooperation. Journal of the Belarusian State University. International Relations. 2 (Dec. 2025), 42–49. DOI:https://doi.org/10.33581/2521-6848-2025-2-%p.