Trademark registrations in China soared last year, with up to 588,000 applications, the highest in the world for three years in a row.

The figure is 30 percent higher than the previous year and more than double the number in 2001, when China was admitted to the World Trade Organization, said An Qinghu, director of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce's Trademark Bureau, on Sunday.

Overseas applicants also rose, exceeding 60,000 in 2004, a 29.82 percent year-on-year growth, he said.

An said that the continued increase in registrations not only reflects achievements in protecting intellectual property rights, but indicates great confidence in China's investing and market environment.

(Xinhua News Agency January 31, 2005)