BEIJING, April 26 (Xinhua) -- The National Intellectual Property Administration (NIPA) will launch the nationwide campaign "Blue Sky" targeting illegal and irregular activities by patent agents and agencies to promote the healthy development of the sector, the administration said.

The patent agent system is a pillar for protecting inventors' rights and interests and promoting scientific and technological innovation. As of the end of 2018, China had 18,668 licensed patent agents and 2,195 patent agencies.

According to officials, regularizing patent agent activities plays an important role in improving the level and quality of innovations and ensuring the smooth operation of the patent system.

Zhao Meisheng, a deputy department-level official with NIPA, said at a quarterly press conference that the administration will speed up the establishment of a fair and efficient supervision mechanism covering various aspects of work by patent agents and agencies.