According to Chinese laws, the best way to protect geographical indications is to register them as certification trademarks or collective trademarks. Where a geographical indication applies for registration as a collective trademark or certification trademark, it shall meet the following requirements in addition to the above basic requirements for applying for registration of a general trademark:

(1) To apply for registration of a geographical indication as a collective trademark, the applicant shall be a group, association or other organization, not a normal producer or operator, and shall be composed of members of the area marked by the geographical indication. The applicant shall attach the subject qualification certificate, detailing the professional technicians and professional testing equipment it owns or the institutions entrusted by it, so as to show that it has the ability to supervise the specific quality of goods using geographical indications. The applicant shall also attach regulations on the administration of the use of collective trademarks, including the purpose of using collective trademarks, the quality of goods, the use procedures, the rights and obligations of users, legal responsibilities and inspection and supervision systems.

(2) Where a geographical indication is applied for registration as a certification trademark, the applicant shall attach the qualification certificate of the subject, and explain in detail the professional and technical personnel and testing equipment it owns or the institutions entrusted by it, so as to show that it has the ability to supervise the quality of the specific commodities certified by the certification trademark. The applicant shall also attach the management rules for the use of certification marks, including the purpose of using certification marks, the specific quality of goods, the conditions and procedures for using certification marks, the rights and obligations of users, legal responsibilities and inspection and supervision systems.

(3) Where an application is made for the registration of a geographical indication as a collective trademark or a certification trademark, the specific quality, reputation or other characteristics of the goods marked by the geographical indication, the relationship between the specific quality, reputation or other characteristics of the goods and the natural and human factors in the area marked by the geographical indication, and the scope of the area marked by the geographical indication shall also be stated.