Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region has actively promoted the coordinated development of intellectual property and sci-tech innovation in recent years. In 2024, Xizang saw an 18.7% year-on-year increase in invention patent ownership, with technology contract transactions reaching 1.479 billion yuan (RMB). Sci-tech innovation now contributes 42% to economic growth, marking a new phase of innovation-driven development on the plateau.

Patent transformation yields results

At the Modern Animal Husbandry Industrial Park in Gamba County of Xigaze City, herders can monitor real-time data via the "Gamba Sheep Smart Breeding System" on their phones. This patented technology, developed by the Xizang Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, covers 85% of local herders, generating traceable QR codes for each sheep, increasing household income by 8,000 yuan on average.

In 2024, over 400 dormant university patents were revitalized across the region, nurturing 13 model enterprises in patent industrialization. Patent licensing transactions surged by 49.4%. In Lhasa Economic-Technological Development Zone, Xizang Golden Yak Biotech Company commercialized its "Yak Bone Peptide Extraction Technology" patent to develop high-value health products, achieving annual sales exceeding 120 million yuan.

Geographical indication protection has also injected vitality into specialty industries, upgrading Xizang's agriculture and animal husbandry with branding and standardization. Geographical indication certification adds a 3-yuan premium per jin (500g) of yak meat, boosting income for 23,000 herders by over 2,000 yuan annually. For instance, Damxung County's "Yak Bazaar" initiative propelled local yak industry output beyond 600 million yuan.

Innovation drives all-round development

At Xizang Vocational Technical College, a student team is debugging the "Plateau Smart Greenhouse Control System," a national award-winning innovation project that has partnered with agricultural cooperatives in Shannan City. The college has incubated 27 student intellectual property achievements and commercialized five startups in three years through industry-education integration.

On the digital screen of Xizang's Sci-Tech Department, real-time technology trade data updates display 1,174 registered technology contracts worth 4.289 billion yuan across five regional agencies.

The fusion of intangible cultural heritage and modern technology has also opened new pathways. At the Lhatse Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop, dra'nyen (Tibetan Guitar) maker and inheritor Tserin Dorje showcased upgraded instruments: "Three utility patents helped annual production exceed 2,000, employing 30+ families." These certified instruments, blending traditional craftsmanship with acoustic innovation, are now sold in over 200 cultural venues nationwide, with annual revenue topping 8 million yuan.

From pastures at 4,500 meters to urban labs, from intangible cultural heritage workshops to modern innovation hubs, Xizang has built a comprehensive IP protection network and innovation ecosystem. Next, the region will deepen reforms to empower sci-tech achievements, ensuring "plateau ingenuity" continues to fuel tangible progress.

Reporter: Yang Yuhang

Translator: Liu Fang, Zhi Xinghua

Review: Hu Rongguo, Drakpa Wangchen