The Pingyin Rose and Laiwu Ginger were included on the list of geographical indication products of mutual recognition and protection between China and Europe, which is a major step forward for Jinan in its efforts to internationalize its products, local authorities said at the 22nd World Intellectual Property Day news conference on April 26.

A geographical indication is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation due to that origin, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization.

In recent years, Jinan has made great efforts to protect and apply geographical indications.

Staff members from the market supervision bureau of Jinan said that the city now has 43 geographical certifications, including seven geographical indication protection products, and 33 geographical indications for agricultural products. The Zhangqiu Green Onion and the Laiwu Black Pig were included on the first batch of the "Shandong Good Products" list. The advancement of geographical indication application and protection is critical to rural vitalization, and has boosted local livelihoods.

The Pingyin Rose is included on the list of geographical indication products of mutual recognition and protection between China and Europe. [Photo/Dazhong News]

Zhangqiu district of Jinan, Shandong province boasts a long history of growing green onions, and was honored as the "home of green onions" by the Ministry of Agriculture in 1996. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]