Since 2011, the Chinese Trademark Office has improved examination efficiency, shortening trademark examination to ten months and reducing the time for handling oppositions and disputes to under 18 months. These periods have reached international levels.
In 2000, the number of trademark applications exceeded the number examined, creating a substantial backlog. By the end of 2007, the examination period had grown to more than three years. Starting in 2008, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce introduced measures to accelerate examination. By the end of 2010, the period had fallen to one year and the backlog had been resolved.
According to the Chinese Trademark Office, China’s cumulative totals stood at 9.576 million applications, 6.559 million registrations and 5.423 million valid registrations, each ranking first worldwide. Report dated January 29, 2012.
Source: http://www.sipo.gov.cn/mtjj/2012/201201/t20120129_642776.html