According to national laws, it is impossible to continue to apply. Invention patents are valid for 20 years from the date of filing, and utility models and designs are valid for 10 years from the date of filing. In the meantime, an annual fee will be paid to maintain the patent. When it expires, it will become an open technology with no legal effect, and anyone can realize it for free.
Article 45 of China's Patent Law stipulates that the term of the invention patent right is 20 years, and the term of the utility model patent right and the design patent right is 10 years, all of which are counted from the date of application.