Abstract:This paper analyzes the spillover effects of foreign patent activities based on technology areas which is defined according to IPC, and examines the technology spillovers of foreign patent activities in China among from 1987 to 2007. The results show that foreign patent activities have significant positive effect on China’s invention patents and the spillovers in different periods from 1987 to 2007 have different features. The technology gap and technology competition between China and foreign countries have significant effects on the spillovers of foreign patent activities.