China's environmental tech companies should increase investment in scientific research and international patents developed by their own team of engineers and attorneys, said Tony Chen, a senior lawyer who represents technology and life science companies in intellectual property issues both at home and in the United States.

Chen made the comments at an intellectual property roundtable held in Beijing last Wednesday.

Co-hosted by Chen and senior attorney Mark Cohen, who has worked in intellectual property and Chinese law for more than 25 years, the forum discussed how to help green technology companies develop and leverage intellectual property in China.