China aims to create a robust knowledge economy by 2020 as part of its 12th five-year plan.  To achieve this, IP enforcement in China will, and must, improve.

Through its "Indigenous Innovation" policy, the Chinese government is promoting technological innovation among local enterprises by, for example, increasing R&D spending and strengthening IP creation, use, protection and management.

China has singled out seven Strategic Emerging Industries (SEIs) that the Chinese government hopes to become the backbone of the future economy, including biotechnology, clean technology and next generation IT. 

In the clean technology sector, China will invest a massive US$238 billion dollars to meet carbon-related goals in the 2011-2015 period.

What can foreign IP owners do to be a part of this? (1) Evaluate the importance of IP rights in China, (2) secure IP rights in China, (3) track infringement activities, (4) when appropriate, enforce your IP rights and (5) manage technology transfer to China.