HANGZHOU, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese private business hub Zhejiang Province saw 2,547 new intellectual property (IP) records set up in the first 11 months, up nearly 30 percent from the same period last year, local authorities said Friday.

The number of independent IP filings in the province ranks first in the country, according to the customs of Hangzhou, the capital city of the province.

Chinese customs have the authority to examine goods moving in and out of the country and protect IP rights (IPR) by seizing infringing goods. Enterprises can record their IP with customs agencies in advance to facilitate protection efforts.