This Day, That Year

Editor's Note: This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up policy.

As its doors open to increased international trade, China has been placing more importance on intellectual property rights.

The country joined the World Intellectual Property Office in 1980. In 1994, it joined the Patent Cooperation Treaty. On April 1, 1985, the country's first Patent Law took effect when people in Beijing lined up in the capital's patent office to apply for patents as seen in the item from April 2, 1985, in China Daily (photo at right).