What does publication mean in a patent application?

Legal analysis: Publishing an application for a patent for invention means that China National Intellectual Property Administration publishes the specification and abstract of the request in the bulletin of invention patent, and publishes the specification of the application for a patent for invention, its drawings and claims in full.

Legal basis: Article 34 of the Patent Law of People's Republic of China (PRC). After receiving an application for a patent for invention, the administrative department for patent in the State Council, after preliminary examination, finds that it conforms to the provisions of this Law, and shall publish it within 18 months from the date of application. The patent administration department of the State Council may publish its application at an early date upon the request of the applicant.