China opposes abuse of IPR to promote trade protectionism

BEIJING - China is willing to enhance intellectual property right (IPR) cooperation with other countries, but opposes accusations and abuse of IPR to exercise trade protectionism, according to a senior official Tuesday.

Gan Shaoning, deputy director of the State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO), said at a press conference that since the reform and opening-up, China had established a complete and internationally-recognized legal system for IPR protection with Chinese characteristics.

He said it incorporated both administrative and judicial protection, and that the system was something that had taken developed countries hundreds of years.

According to media reports US President-elect Donald Trump has applied for many trademarks in China, Gan said that this showed that China's IPR system complied with international standards.

The official acknowledged that there were some problems in IPR protection as China was a developing country with a short history of IPR.

"Exercising strict IPR protection is not only a demand for the country to attract foreign investment, open up to the outside world, and pursue innovation-driven development, but also an essential requirement for upgrading economic and social development," Gan told reporters.

"We are willing to enhance IPR cooperation and share our experiences of development with our counterparts across the world," the official said. "At the same time, we oppose unfounded accusations and abuse of IPR to exercise trade protectionism."

Showcasing China's breakthroughs in international cooperation last year, Gan said that China had held the High-level Conference on Intellectual Property for Countries Along the "Belt and Road" and released a joint initiative on IPR cooperation concerning such countries.

The official vowed to strengthen the protection and use of intellectual property rights and encourage innovation.

Gan said a guideline, issued by the State Council earlier this month, specified the goals and major tasks for the development of intellectual property during the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020).

The plan said China would improve IPR rules and regulations in newly-emerged fields, including Internet Plus, e-commerce and big data.

It stated that China's invention patents would increase from 6.3 per 10,000 people in 2015 to 12 per 10,000 in 2020.

Intellectual property royalties earned abroad will rise from $4.44 billion in 2015 to $10 billion in 2020, according to the plan.

The plan also put forward seven major areas for improving intellectual property, including the legal system, protection of intellectual property rights, quality and benefits, industrial upgrading, and international cooperation and exchanges.