To thoroughly implement the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee on advancing the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) has, since July 1, 2026, converted the pilot program of priority examination of invention patent applications filed in the mainland by applicants from the Macao Special Administrative Region into regular implementation, so as to continue supporting Macao SAR residents in protecting their intellectual property rights in the mainland in a more convenient and efficient manner.

The pilot program has been implemented since July 1, 2023. For eligible invention patent applications filed by Macao SAR applicants, requests for priority examination may be filed through the Guangzhou Office and the Shenzhen Office of the Patent Office of CNIPA. Over the past three years, nearly 100 invention patent applications filed by Macao SAR applicants have entered the priority examination channel through the program, which has significantly shortened the examination period of the relevant applications and provided effective support for innovation entities in the SAR to accelerate their patent portfolio deployment and utilization in the mainland.

Upon evaluation, given that the pilot program has achieved good results and fully met its expected goals, CNIPA has converted the program into regular implementation since July 1, 2026, so as to better support the innovative development of the Macao SAR and serve the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Source: China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), original release date: 2026-07-07, original link: https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/art/2026/7/7/art_53_207102.html