China owns the most nano-patents in the world: white paper

China holds the top global position in nano patents, demonstrating the country's robust momentum in this cutting-edge field, said a white paper released on Saturday at the 10th International Conference on Nanoscience and Technology (ChinaNANO 2025) in Beijing.

The white paper revealed that between 2000 and 2025, over 1.078 million nano patents were authorized globally, with China accounting for 464,000, or 43 percent, the highest number worldwide.

Furthermore, the transfer and licensing rate of China's nano-technology patent has surpassed eight percent, indicating a steady improvement in the efficiency of transforming scientific achievements into practical applications, said the white paper.

The global nano-technology market is projected to reach 1.5 trillion U.S. dollars by the end of 2025, according to the white paper.

Bai Chunli, president of ChinaNANO 2025 and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, stressed the interdisciplinary nature of nanoscience and technology, and its greater potential.

"Nano-technology isn't a stand-alone discipline. It intersects with physics, chemistry, materials science, electronics, life sciences, and more. Innovations in cutting-edge fields often emerge from the collision of these disciplines. Nano-technology research should see greater development and more applications in key areas such as life sciences and medicine, as well as microelectronics," said Bai.

The 10th International Conference on Nanoscience and Technology, running from Saturday to Monday, has drawn over 600 renowned scholars engaging in discussions across 15 key themes, with seven leading scientists delivering keynote speeches at the conference.

China owns the most nano-patents in the world: white paper

A spokesperson for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) said on Monday that the situation in waters near the Strait of Hormuz remains volatile, urging vessels in the area to take maximum caution.

"The situation continues to be volatile. Ships should take maximum caution and not take risks without security guarantees," the spokesperson said in a statement.

According to the information released on the IMO website, as of April 19, a total of 24 attacks on ships in the affected waters had been confirmed, resulting in the deaths of 10 seafarers.

The IMO, the United Nations specialized agency responsible for maritime safety and security, as well as the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships, has called for de-escalation, dialogue, and multilateral cooperation regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said on Monday that with the U.S. repeatedly violating ceasefire deals and posing threats to Iran’s ports and vessels, a unilateral return to normal shipping remains out of reach.

Also on Monday, the U.S. Central Command claimed in a social media post that the U.S. forces have directed 27 vessels to turn around or return to Iranian ports since its blockade on navigation through the Strait starting April 13.

However, according to a report released from Lloyd's List on Monday, at least 26 vessels involved in Iranian shipping had managed to break through the U.S. blockade.

IMO urges ships near Strait of Hormuz to be on maximum alert