On January 29, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) issued the Announcement on the Full Implementation of Electronic Patent Certificates (the "Announcement").

The Announcement clarifies that, the CNIPA will fully implement the electronic patent certificates beginning on and after February 7, 2023, with a view to continuously improve the information technology for and access to patent examination services. It states that, if the party files an application for a patent in electronic form and is granted the patent, it can download the electronic patent certificate through the patent affairs handling system; if the party files an application for a patent in paper form and is granted the patent, it can download the electronic patent certificate in the manner as notified in the Notice of Obtaining the Electronic Patent Certificate.

(Source: China National Intellectual Property Administration)