In order to enhance the user experience of the Patent Examining Highway (PPH), the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) announced to join the “PPH Improvement Initiative” of the cooperation between the five intellectual property bureaus of China, the United States, Europe, Japan and South Korea. CNIPA set the average period for the first OA and the average period for responding to applicant opinions by PPH in 2024 to 3 months, so that they can provide PPH users with a more predictable examination period.