Switzerland and China have been engaged in bilateral dialogue on intellectual property since 2007, for which the IPI is responsible. In addition, a bilateral free trade agreement containing a substantial chapter on intellectual property came into force in 2014.

This ongoing dialogue between Switzerland and China serves as a forum to discuss issues concerning intellectual property. Meetings take place at least once a year in China or Switzerland, in which both countries discuss issues on the topic of intellectual property. The dialogue is based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) (pdf) with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM). In addition, there is an office-level MoU (pdf) between the IPI and the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA; formerly the State Intellectual Property Office, SIPO), which forms the basis for cooperation between these two institutions in the area of patents, trade marks and designs.

The latest round of dialogue took place in September and October 2023. You can find an overview of all past meetings in the document Bilateral Dialogue between Switzerland and China (pdf).

Swiss companies can report any issues they have about protecting their intellectual property in China to the IPI, such as questions concerning protecting patents or registering trade marks. The IPI then broaches these matters with its Chinese partners. Also taking place are industry roundtables, which allow representatives from Swiss companies and trade associations to present their concerns directly to the Chinese authorities responsible.

The IPI, which is responsible for this bilateral dialogue within the federal administration, does so in collaboration with the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

A milestone in bilateral relations with China was the successful conclusion of a free trade agreement. This treaty has been in force since July 2014 and contains a comprehensive chapter on protecting intellectual property rights.

Mathias Schäli
Head of International Trade Relations
Tel. +41 31 377 72 25
mathias.schaeli(at)ipi.ch

Ursula Siegfried
Deputy Head of International Trade Relations
Tel. +41 31 377 72 40
ursula.siegfried(at)ipi.ch