Why should the patent application be published after 18 months?

According to the provisions of China's Patent Law, if the Patent Office considers the application for a patent for invention to be in conformity with the provisions of this Law after preliminary examination, it shall publish the application 18 months after the date of filing. The so-called early disclosure means that the applicant can request the early disclosure of his patent application from the date of application and the priority date, and shall submit an early disclosure statement. After the early public statement has passed the preliminary examination of the Patent Office, it can immediately enter the public procedure. The pre-public statement is only applicable to the application for a patent for invention. The applicant's pre-public statement cannot be attached with any conditions. References: