'Tough path' lay ahead for China's IP sector

The report focused on analyzing IP capacity, performance and environment of sample countries through such details as IP creation, utilization, protection, management, domestic innovation's contribution, international influence and market and cultural environments.

The United States topped the international ranking, closely followed by Japan. The two nations outdistanced their followers.

China improved its ranking from 10th in 2012 to ninth in 2013, according to the report.

While China came third in IP capacity and performance, after the US and Japan, its position dropped considerably for its IP environment, ranging in rank from 28th to 30th place from 2008 to 2013.

"It reflects that there is still a long, tough path ahead to improve the IP environment," Han said, adding that enhanced enforcement is the key.

"The State Council has made it a clear goal to build our country into a strong IP powerhouse in a plan for further advancing national IP strategy released earlier this year, which signalizes a stage for the strategy implementation," he said.

"Under such a backdrop, the report will provide a helpful reference for realizing the goal," he added.