A New Chapter Begins: Reflections on the Beijing GI Brand Authorization Seminar

There are moments that don’t feel big when they happen —yet later, you realize they marked a turning point.

The National Geographical Indication Brand Authorization Seminar, co-organized with the National Agricultural Exhibition Center in Beijing, was one of those moments for me and for IGSO. It wasn’t just another meeting. It was a rare alignment of vision, responsibility, and possibility — a moment when Hong Kong and Mainland stakeholders sat at the same table to discuss something far bigger than trade:

How do we build a trusted, international pathway for China’s agricultural identity?

1. Why This Meeting Mattered

According to the event briefing, the seminar was positioned as a major step toward bringing China’s nationally recognized GI brands into Hong Kong through formal authorization channels — not merely as products, but as protected intellectual property with integrity, provenance, and story.

This vision had several layers:

• Show Hong Kong’s united commitment

The delegation was intentionally cross-sectoral — Hong Kong Customs, Intellectual Property Department, business associations, testing institutions, logistics partners, and charitable foundations.

It wasn’t just my voice.It was Hong Kong’s.

• Support national policy using Hong Kong’s strengths

Hong Kong’s role in international standards, IP protection, testing, and cross-border compliance became a key pillar.

• Demonstrate confidence in China’s GI system

GI isn’t just a logo. It’s a promise —a promise that the land, the variety, the craft, and the people behind it are real.

This seminar was about giving that promise a global gateway.

2. The Atmosphere in Beijing: A Rare Gathering of High-Level Stakeholders

When we arrived at the National Agricultural Exhibition Center, the seriousness of the occasion was obvious.

We were received by:

• Leaders from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (Quality & Safety Supervision Dept., Director-General level)

• Leaders of the National Agricultural Exhibition Center (Director-General level)

• Provincial Beijing Offices from Guangxi, Gansu, Shanxi, Yunnan, and Sichuan

• Three experts from China Agricultural University — Prof. Zhang Tianzhu, Prof. Li Jianjun, and Prof. Lu Juan

Meetings with this density of expertise and authority rarely happen unless the stakes are high.

And the message from the Mainland side was unmistakable:

Hong Kong is expected to play a real role in building China’s global agricultural trust system.

For IGSO, this was not only an honor — it was a responsibility.

3. Hong Kong’s Delegation: More Than Attendance — A Statement of Capability

Our Hong Kong delegation list reflected something important:the GI initiative is not a single organization’s mission —it is a cross-institutional commitment to trust and integrity.

Among the attending representatives were:

• Hong Kong Customs

• Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department

• Hong Kong Trade Development Council

• OUR HONG KONG FOUNDATION

• CMA Testing (Chinese Manufacturers’ Association)

• Hong Kong Dried Seafood & Grocery Merchants Association

• Hop Chen

• Frutus Charitable Foundation

• Tocco Earth (France)

• Go Green

• And IGSO, representing the growers’ standards system

Our presence showed Mainland stakeholders that:

Hong Kong is not merely a market —Hong Kong is infrastructure.Hong Kong is compliance.Hong Kong is trust.

4. What Was Discussed Behind Closed Doors

The seminar wasn’t ceremonial. It was practical, intense, and future-oriented.

Several core themes emerged:

1. Building a GI Authorization Framework for Hong Kong

A structure for legal protection, enforcement, and brand governance.

2. Strengthening IP protection and stopping counterfeits

Hong Kong IPD’s role was defined clearly.Hong Kong Customs’ enforcement capability was emphasized.

3. Using Hong Kong’s testing capabilities (CMA Testing) to support global credibility

A GI identity is only as strong as its verification.

4. Aligning GI with Belt & Road agricultural cooperation

GI is a cultural asset, but also an economic passport.

5. Exploring opportunities in smart agriculture and rural revitalization

Hong Kong-led innovation can become a catalyst for Mainland rural income improvement.

The conversations were not about small changes —they were about reshaping how origin, authenticity, and quality are verified from China to the world.

5. What This Meant for Me Personally

Although I didn’t say it during the meeting, this seminar reminded me why IGSO exists.

Not because of technology.Not because of business.But because trust is fragile, and once broken, it must be rebuilt with discipline and unity.

In the presence of so many government officials, experts, and associations, I re-realized something:

IGSO was never about us — it was about the growers who cannot speak for themselves.

This event didn’t “restart” my journey in a dramatic way.Instead, it quietly reaffirmed the direction we were already moving toward.

Sometimes you don’t need a revolution.Sometimes you just need a moment of clarity.

Beijing gave me that.

6. Looking Ahead: What This Seminar Sets in Motion

The documents outline very clearly what this initiative aims to achieve:

• Raise Hong Kong’s awareness and acceptance of China’s GI brands

• Improve Mainland–Hong Kong agricultural cooperation

• Increase rural income through brand value

• Strengthen Hong Kong’s Belt & Road connective role

• Improve food safety and eliminate illegal activities

• Establish Hong Kong as a standards and testing hub for Chinese agriculture

These are not small goals.But they are achievable — if we move together.

For IGSO, this seminar wasn’t the culmination of our work.It was the beginning of a new chapter.

A chapter where:

• Hong Kong becomes the global gateway for China’s authentic agricultural identity

• GI products enter Hong Kong with protection and pride

• Growers receive the recognition they deserve

• Consumers regain trust

• And international markets see China’s agricultural standards not as a slogan, but as a reality

This is the path forward.And after Beijing, I am more certain of it than ever.