Patent statistics are frequently cited as evidence of China’s growing technological strength, but patent counts by themselves do not address qualitative concerns. Moreover, they often measure much more than innovation alone. They can reflect commercialization strategies, export orientation, government incentives, and differences in patent systems across countries. This article examines how patent data of various kinds can be used to assess China’s competitive position, while also highlighting the limitations of relying on patent counts alone. Drawing on recent U.S.-China filing data, design patent trends, overseas filing behavior, and common measures of patent quality, it argues that patent statistics are most useful when interpreted in context and alongside other indicators of technological and commercial performance.