China denies special treatment for Ivanka Trump’s business after granting trademarks the day she had dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping

CHINA has defended handing trademark approvals to Ivanka Trump on the same day she had dinner with the country’s president.

CHINA is defending its handling of trademark applications from President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka and her company, saying that all such requests are handled fairly.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Lu Kang was asked about the trademarks a day after the AP reported that Ms Trump had won provisional approval for at least five marks since her father’s January inauguration.

Ivanka Trump and husband Jared Kushner, right, during a dinner with the Chinese President Xi Jinping at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. Picture: AP

Three of those approvals were granted April 6, the day Ivanka Trump and her husband sat next to Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife for dinner at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

Mr Lu said that China follows the law in granting trademarks and “the principle of giving equal protection to foreign trademark holders.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang says the story is media hype. Picture: AFP

Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump are power players in Trump’s White House. Picture: Supplied

Asked about the timing of the April 6 approvals, Mr Lu said: “There are perhaps some media engaging in hyping certain gossip to hint at something undisclosed. I can tell you that they will never succeed.”

Thank you President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan for your visit to the United States 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/VLvzyDMiiY

— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) April 9, 2017

Beyond the provisionally approved trademarks, Ivanka Trump Marks LLC has 16 registered trademarks in China and more than 30 pending applications, according to China’s Trademark Office database.

Ivanka Trump’s label has gone from strength to strength. Picture: Getty

They collectively cover a wide range of goods and services, including cosmetics, jewellery, leather handbags, luggage, clothes, shoes, retail, spa and beauty services.

Other countries where the company has pending and registered trademarks include Japan, Mexico, Turkey, Israel, Canada and Saudi Arabia.

Ivanka Trump brand boots for sale. Picture: Getty

Sales of Ivanka Trump’s brand, which she no longer manages but still owns, hit record levels in 2017 by some measures despite boycotts and several stores limiting her merchandise.

US imports, almost all from China, shot up an estimated 166 per cent last year, according to Panjiva Inc, which tracks international imports to the United States.

Very proud of Arabella and Joseph for their performance in honor of President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan's official visit to the US! pic.twitter.com/fu3RIh26UO

— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) April 7, 2017

In fact, the day White House counsellor Kellyanne Conway spruiked Ivanka Trump’s brand on TV, sales soared 10,700 per cent compared with a year earlier.

The brand went from 550th most popular to 11th in February when Ms Conway made the remarks.

In a statement on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Ivanka Trump brand said the 2017 Chinese trademarks were filed defensively to prevent counterfeiters or squatters from using her name.

Ms Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, are trusted advisers to the president.

Criminal conflict-of-interest law prohibits federal officials from participating in government matters that could impact their own financial interest or that of their spouses.

Some argue that the more Ivanka Trump’s business broadens its scope, the more it threatens to encroach on the couple’s ability to deliver credible advice on core issues like trade, intellectual property and the value of the Chinese currency.

Asked about Ms Trump’s role in US-China relations, Mr Lu said: “We always think highly of the people who are committed to promoting China-US friendship and co-operation, whether they are from the government or society, and we commend their efforts.”