During a patent exhibition week held in Beijing's Haidian district, high-tech companies showcased patented products and thousands of patents were traded during the event to boost research and development in the technology hub.

At a press conference on Thursday, nine patents, including a smart camera and a new scanning system for food safety, were introduced to the public.

After the conference, participants visited the center for patent exhibition, which has seen transactions worth more than 30 million yuan ($4.7 million), according to the Haidian Intellectual Property Bureau.

Haidian, where Zhongguancun is located, is known for its technological research and innovation. Companies based in the district have benefited from patents for a long time.

At the conference, computer maker Lenovo introduced new laptop models that can be converted into tablets or projectors. The axle of the company's YOGA laptop can be retroflexed 360 degrees and can be used as a tablet, said Gao Fei, director of the patent department of Lenovo.

The smartphone maker Xiaomi has made breakthroughs in patent applications, which has helped the company diversify its product ranges. During the past four years, the number of Xiaomi's patents increased to 1,080 last year from 35 in 2011, one year after the company was founded, according to Gao Peng, senior engineer in Xiaomi's technology and patent department.

Gao said Xiaomi has applied dozens of patents in its smart housing systems such as long-distance monitoring of electric appliances.

Wang Ying, director of the Haidian intellectual property authority, said the district has a large number of high-tech companies and nurtures a good environment for patents and intellectual property rights to help companies grow and remain competitive.

Li Zhong, deputy director of the Beijing intellectual property office, said about 50,000 patents were applied for in the capital last year and companies in Haidian accounted for more than half of those.

"Intellectual property is an important indicator for the development of the local economy," Li said. "The more patents one district has, the more the local economy will benefit. It can promote the quality of GDP growth, and that's why Haidian is one of the best economies among Beijing's 16 districts and counties."

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(China Daily 10/21/2015 page16)