Baotou has added three new autonomous region-level intellectual property (IP) operation centers, bringing the city's total to six. The new centers focus on rare-earth permanent magnet micro-drive motors, new energy heavy-duty trucks, and the comprehensive utilization of mineral and metallurgical solid waste resources.

Strengthening IP operations has become a key part of advancing Baotou's innovation strategy. The municipal market supervision bureau (intellectual property bureau) has encouraged leading enterprises to establish such centers, supporting the transformation of IP into real value and building a sustainable IP ecosystem.

Baotou has six autonomous region-level industry IP operation centers and one city-level new energy industry IP operation center, covering sectors such as rare earth, silicon, and equipment manufacturing. These centers play an essential role in cultivating high-value patent portfolios, facilitating patent licensing and transfers, and developing a management system with local characteristics.

This year, Baotou reported 4.2 high-value invention patents and 13.7 invention patents per 10,000 residents, representing a 20 percent year-over-year increase. Eight local universities have signed 36 patent transaction contracts worth 3.62 million yuan ($503,180), while seven research institutes have transferred seven patent portfolios, generating 7.18 million yuan in revenue.