Expat awarded THE General Manager of Mesnac European Research and Technical Center Karol Vanko has received a prestigious distinction of the Chinese Government — “Friendship Award 2011.” Vanko was awarded along with 50 other experts from 21 countries worldwide working in the fields of economy, science, technology, education and culture. He is the ninth expat working in Qingdao to receive this award. The award is given to foreigners who have made significant contributions to China’s economy, construction and social development. It is the highest award the Chinese Government gives to foreign business or community leaders. Vanko is a longtime leader in developing digital rubber tire manufacturing equipment. (Wang Yuanyuan, Jia Feng) Copyright trading center opens AN international copyright trading center has opened in Qingdao. It is the first national-level copyright trading center in Shandong Province and the second high-end copyright industrial service platform in North China. Total investment in the center is 600 million to 1 billion yuan. Developers also are planning a Qingdao cultural copyright trading center and industrial park. As a public service, the center will provide a series of services related to cultural products. The center has joined the national copyright association, providing first-class copyright and cultural services. (Wang Yuanyuan, Han Guangliang) Patent applications booming in city QINGDAO officials received 5,319 patent applications in 2011, an increase of 86.6 percent from 2010, recent figures show. Of those applications, 1,135 were approved — an increase of 48.4 percent from 2010. Amid that boom, efforts to improve the city’s awareness of intellectual copyright regulations accelerated in 2011. The amount of local patent applications has become an important index for Qingdao companies’ annual reviews. City officials are increasing funds to help companies and individuals apply for patents. (Wang Yuanyuan, Zhao Di) | 