Respect and protection for intellectual property (IP) are crucial values to foster innovation and healthy global competition amid the global energy transition, said Zeng Yuqun, chairman of Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL), a Chinese battery giant.
During an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Zeng, a leading entrepreneur whose company has been lauded globally for its innovative technology, drew on his entrepreneurial experience to illustrate that respecting IP is an international business language.
"All practice, international practice (should) respect IP. For example, when we started business in ATL (CATL's predecessor), the first thing we're doing, we know the IP in some area in the United States, (in a) Telcordia laboratory. So we licensed the technology from them. That's why we respect IP, if everyone respect IP, protect IP, then innovation becomes real friendly competitions. I have new things, I can license, I'm willing to license very good IPs, all technology from my competitors from everywhere in the world, because this is like putting everything on the table," he said.
CATL has emerged as a global leader in fast-charging and swappable batteries. As of the first half of 2025, the company operated six global research and development centers and 13 battery production bases, with service networks spanning various countries and regions.
Intellectual property protections foster innovation, healthy global competition: CATL chairman
Chinese President Xi Jinping awarded Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic the Friendship Medal of the People's Republic of China in Beijing on Monday.
As solemn music played and the golden doors slowly opened, Xi and Vucic entered the hall together, followed by Xi's wife Peng Liyuan and Vucic's wife Tamara Vucic.
Applauding guests rose to their feet, and paid respect to the two heads of state.
A Guard of Honor escorted the Friendship Medal into the hall, and amid solemn music, Xi formally presented the medal to Vucic.
Xi highlighted Vucic's long-standing commitment to advancing China-Serbia friendship and underscored the significance of the honor.
"President Vucic has long stayed committed to China-Serbia friendship, and he has always given China the firmest and clearest support on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns. He gains the respect from the Chinese people. This medal is not only a high recognition of President Vucic's contributions to bilateral friendship, but also carries the earnest expectations of both peoples for building a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era," Xi said.
The Friendship Medal is China's highest state honor for foreigners, reserved for those who have made outstanding contributions to China's modernization drive, promoting exchange and cooperation between China and the world, and safeguarding world peace.
At the invitation of Xi, Vucic is on a state visit to China from Sunday to Thursday, with this marking his first state visit to China and his ninth trip to the country overall.
Xi awards Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic China's friendship medal
