To set up a well-framed system of geographic indicators in China to reflect a product's point of origin is an efficient way to increase the country's agriculture values, said a leading Cognac industrial official.

Feng Liming, chief representative of the Beijing Office for the French Agricultural Association, said the system of geographic indicators can bring great added value to Chinese farm products, and is one of the best ways to develop agriculture throughout the nation.

"The system, which Cognac has followed for a century and helps protect its value, will also benefit many Chinese special agriculture producers," said Feng, who also speaks for the French National Interprofessional Cognac Bureau, a quasi-governmental organization dedicated to overseeing the manufacturing and distribution of Cognac.

A geographic indicator is a symbol used on goods that have a specific geographic origin and possess qualities or a reputation associated with that area.
Cognac is one of the earliest products to have followed the system and now is regarded as an ideal example for that practice, Feng said.

Cognac is closely related with the village of Cognac and its surrounding area in Southwest France. Cognac includes more than 10 brands, such as Hennessy, Courvoisier, Remy Martin, Otard and Martell.

"Many types of Chinese farm produce, which have a long history and are considered specialities in their respective regions, can be included into the system," Feng said.

The system protects the added value of the origin of these products and will help Chinese farmers become richer, Fend added. Cognac is a good example to follow, which has a revenue of 100 million euros (US$113 million) in China and 1.5 billion euros (US$1.69 billion) worldwide with a plantation area of 75,000 hectares.

With China's entry into the World Trade Organization, the norm has been introduced into China as it has been recognized by the trade body's Agreement of Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights.

Some Chinese original products, such as Longjing Tea and Shaoxing Liquor, are currently included in the system.

Feng expected Chinese authorities to include more products in the system.