The province's companies and individuals were granted 6,142 invention patents in the first eight months of this year, topping all provinces in the central part of China. The number increased nearly 80 percent from the same period last year, and means Anhui has accomplished its target of 6,000 invention patents for this year four months early. Companies and individuals in Anhui applied for 42,000 invention patents this year and owned 21,527 valid invention patents by the end of August.

(Source: China Daily)