On 14 November 2019, Mr WANG Yi, State Councilor and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China has nominated Ms WANG Binying as candidate for Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). It is expected that on 5 and 6 March 2020, the new DG will be elected. Read more about the procedure of the elections and the candidates here. Will it be Ms WANG Binying? Read her CV here.
One can argue that the most industrial rights are registered in China, and that the most IP disputes take place between Chinese companies. Moreover, China, starting in 1982 with the launch of a Trademark Law, has set up a comprehensive and advanced IP system in an enormous rapid pace. An impressive feat. There are still serious IP related problems. However, it is clear that the Chinese government takes IP very seriously and envisions the effective enforcement of IP rights as essential for China’s move from a world class manufacturer towards a world class innovator of the world.
Read Colum Lynch’s ‘China Bids to Lead World Agency Protecting Intellectual Property’ in Foreign Policy 29 November 2019, here. However, it seems that bipartisan lawmakers have urged Trump to oppose any Chinese nominee to lead WIPO. Read Chris Mills Rodrigo’s article about it in The Hill, here.
Despite this opposition, Ms WANG has a good chance to be elected. Alternatively, I think Singapore’s Daren TANG also makes a good chance. The new DG will be appointed on 7 or 8 March 2020.