BEIJING - China filed 3.69 million trademark applications in 2016, up 28.4 percent over 2015, the the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) said Wednesday.

The number of valid trademarks registered in China was nearly 12.4 million by the end of 2016.

China has led the world in terms of trademark filing for 15 years.

China's cabinet, the State Council, has set specific goals and tasks for the development of intellectual property during the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020).

A trademark festival will be held in September, focusing on the role of trademarks and brands in the Belt and Road Initiative, according to Wang Peizhang, secretary-general of the China Trademark Association.