China's Ministry of Commerce is expected to conduct a nationwide survey this year to clarify the country's traditional brand names.

Di Jiankai, Director of the Commerce Reform Department, said approximately 200 domestic companies could get their brand names authenticated as "vintage" this year.

The number will rise to 1,000 in the next three years, he acknowledged. Moreover, he said, all vintage brands will get a certificate and a tablet from the Ministry of Commerce which recognizes their distinctiveness and long history.

The ministry also plans to issue guidelines this year to facilitate the growth of vintage domestic brands, especially in the spheres of intellectual property protection, preservation of traditional technique and culture, technical innovation and the establishment of modern corporate governance.

Calling the project "strategically vital to domestic economy", Di held that the authentication would spur the development of home brands, enlarge domestic consumption and advance traditional Chinese culture.

Source: Xinhua