??? A GROWING number of companies in Qingdao have applied for the Madrid International Registration of Trademarks. Some small and medium-sized companies implement their brand transformation and upgrading strategy when they gain the “international passes,” according to the city’s industrial and commerce bureau. Even companies like Hongni Group which have not received any overseas orders are also choosing to explore the international market by applying for the registration. “The company will seek further development by going global. Gaining the registration will make the company internationally competitive. There will be no boundaries to collaborate with international brands in the future,” said Liu Yongquan, general manager of the group. In 2011, Qingdao’s companies filed 52 applications for the Madrid International Registration of Trademarks, 3.7 times of the number in 2010. (Wang Yuanyuan, Wang Yu) | 