How did China become a world leader in the electric vehicle (EV) sector? This question has long attracted wide international attention and discussion. In early March this year, foreign media reported that Chinese EV manufacturers now hold a massive—and in the view of some experts, unshakable—lead in the global market.
As the "heart" of electric vehicles, the statistics for new energy batteries are even more striking: in 2024, China accounted for over 75% of the global battery supply. Among the world’s top 10 new energy battery manufacturers by market share, six are Chinese companies, led by Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL), collectively commanding 78% of the market. Demand for new energy batteries is also surging in other sectors, such as commercial and industrial energy storage, electric aircraft, and electric vessels. In this global green transformation, China’s new energy battery industry is playing a critical role.
However, given the increasingly fierce international competition and the rising uncertainties faced when establishing factories overseas, maintaining and enhancing the resilience and security of supply and industrial chains during the international expansion process remains a key ongoing challenge.
Based on CATL’s development strategy and overseas experience, Wang Hongmei, a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC) and a senior technician at CATL, called during this year’s "Two Sessions" for stronger intellectual property (IP) protection across China’s new energy battery industry. She emphasized that IP should serve as both a "spear and a shield" to drive the export of "Chinese innovation" and to enhance global competitiveness. She also expressed hope that national policies would increasingly support leading enterprises in the industry in strengthening their global IP portfolios and expanding their market advantage.
According to Wang, CATL has consistently maintained a high level of R&D innovation, deploying a comprehensive research layout across the entire value chain of the new energy battery industry. By the end of 2024, CATL had secured over 16,000 patents worldwide. These IP assets have fueled innovation in CATL’s business model and strengthened the company’s influence in the formulation of international standards.
"Our patent team often works tirelessly with our technical production teams, reminding us to promptly report technical innovations that could be patentable. They instill in us a strong awareness of IP protection—to safeguard our own innovations while respecting the intellectual property of others, thus fostering a sustainable and rewarding innovation ecosystem," Wang Hongmei shared.
In addressing the broader IP protection needs of the new energy battery sector, Wang suggested that administrative and judicial authorities should more firmly encourage innovation when handling IP-related cases in the industry. She called for a careful, prudent approach to case processing, the establishment of model cases, and truly robust and rigorous protection for innovative companies and technologies—thus promoting the sustained and healthy development of the sector. Additionally, she advocated for policy optimizations that encourage differentiated innovation and greater support for the development of emerging and frontier technologies.
Looking ahead, Wang proposed that IP-strong enterprises, universities, and research institutions work together to build industrial alliances, jointly lay out patent strategies, and respond to unjust litigation, thereby enhancing collective resilience against IP risks. She also urged companies and industries to leverage their influence by actively participating in the formulation of international rules and strengthening global cooperation, using "Chinese innovation" and "Chinese wisdom" to further integrate into the global value chain and enhance international competitiveness.