International IP pundits Francis Gurry (L) and Rui Wenbiao hold talks. [Photo/WeChat account: Shanghai_IPA]

Francis Gurry, former director general of the World Intellectual Property Organization, or WIPO – and a recipient of the Chinese Government Friendship Award – visited the Shanghai Intellectual Property Administration recently and met with its director general Rui Wenbiao.

Rui spoke highly of Gurry's long support for China's intellectual property development and his contributions to Shanghai's IP work. He said Gurry had witnessed the growth and achievements of Shanghai's IP sector, having visited the city many times and attended various events such as the China International Import Expo, the International Business Leaders' Advisory Council for the Mayor of Shanghai and the Shanghai International Intellectual Property Forum.

Gurry also served as the honorary dean of the Shanghai International College of Intellectual Property and as honorary professor at several universities.

Gurry said he was delighted to visit Shanghai again and praised the city as a world-class metropolis and a key innovation hub in the Asia-Pacific region, with a strong presence in the global IP arena.

He attributed Shanghai's IP success to the Chinese government's emphasis on IP work and the Shanghai municipal government's efforts to promote the field. He expressed his hope that Shanghai would make further strides in intellectual property and in innovation.