According to the statistics from the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), by the end of 2010, the geographical indications (GIs) had been granted to protect 1,170 products in China.
Among the 1,170 products, 1,168 are domestic products, and 2 are foreign products. The products include wine, spirit, tea, fruit, flower, handicraft, spice, Chinese medicines, aquatic, etc., and they are from 30 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities across the country.
In an effort to ensure and improve quality of GI products, AQSIQ has formulated five GI model standards for fruit, ceramics, liquor, processed food and aquatic product, 700 technical requirements for products and 600 affiliated standards.
It is commonly agreed that geographical indications are effective means to protect intellectual property and has played a significant role in protecting the legitimate rights and interests of producers and consumers against fake and shoddy products.
