China and Cambodia have been seeking long-term cooperation in intellectual property development. And the Belt and Road Initiative is providing a solid base for such cooperation. China's State Intellectual Property Office briefed the media Friday morning on the progress of Chinese invention patents to be validated in Cambodia. Natasha Hussain has more.

It's been half a year since the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Intellectual Property cooperation -- a significant step in the expansion of patent rights and cooperation between China and Cambodia.

HE ZHIMIN, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER CHINA'S STATE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE "After this half year's progress, both China and Cambodia have reached an agreement in which the validation of Chinese invention patents in Cambodia will be in effect very soon. Amid the rapid development of globalization, intellectual property protection awareness is increasing. Lots of enterprises hope to have overseas patents. The process might take quite a long time. However, the collaboration with Cambodia enables patent owners to access the regional market more effectively."

Patents authorized by China's State Intellectual Property Office, including newly authorized ones will be able register in Cambodia and receive protection. They will be validated immediately after examination, receiving protection from the Cambodian government.

WANG XIAOYUN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE INT'L COOPERATION DEPT. CHINA STATE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE "Chinese invention patents are validated in Cambodia, a country-to-country and single registration method. Patent owners can greatly save time and money in the complicated application process. It's convenient and simple with higher legal value."

With the joint efforts by China and Cambodia, the development of intellectual property is being further strengthened. And with this, comes more and more convenience for patent owners to access the regional market. Natasha Hussain, CGTN, BEIJING.