According to the Science and Technology Bureau of the Urumqi State High-tech Industrial Zone, 11 of the zone's S&T projects received patents following investments of 3.45 million yuan ($515,904) in the first half of 2016.

The figure was 65.84 percent of investments in the whole city, an indication of the great progress the zone has made.

A group of enterprises, and the new energy companies in particular, have contributed significantly to the zone's intellectual property work.

The zone, a pilot area in intellectual property work since 2011, adheres intensely to an innovation driven strategy which has led it to marked success.

The zone will continue to contribute to social and economic development and strive to become a national intellectual property demonstration area.

Some of the zone's science and technology research personnel. [Photo/ wxsq.gov.cn]

By Qiu Guizhen and edited by Peter Nordinger