BEIJING -- The number of applications submitted for trademark registration reached 10.54 million at the end of June, ranking the first in the world.

According to a forum celebrating the 30th anniversary of the country's trademark law on Thursday, China is also at the top of the world's rankings in terms of registered trademarks, which totaled 7.17 million by the end of June, and valid trademark registration, which totaled 6.09 million.

Zhou Bohua, head of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, said that trademarks have become an important means of competition for Chinese companies to approach overseas markets. However, he noted that the number of influential trademarks in China is still low.

Adopted in August 1982, the trademark law marked the country's first intellectual property law after China launched the reform and opening-up drive.

China has had the world's most trademark applications since 2002 when its trademark applications reached 300,000.