Wen Jiabao visited Helsinki, Finland for the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM). The full transcript of an interview with the Chinese premier was covered by The Times and published by The Australian.
One question (question 4) was about IPR:
What steps will you take to ensure that the world can be confident in China’s promises on IPR (intellectual property rights) after so many years with little change?
WEN JIABAO: “Frankly, it is only in recent years that we have given priority to the protection of intellectual property rights as a matter of strategic policy. This has something to do with the level of development China has achieved, and China should be given some more time. But what I wish to stress is that no one should fail to see the Chinese Government’s commitment to protecting IPR and the steps it has taken.
First, the IPR protection strategy is being pursued with the same importance given to the national innovation strategy.
Second, a national leading group for IPR protection has been set up to exercise overall leadership and co-ordination over IPR protection efforts in China.
Third, we have adopted and revised a number of laws and regulations on IPR protection. Of them, the most important three laws are: the patent law, the copyright law and the trademark law. We will continue to improve the relevant laws and regulations and lower the threshold for prosecuting IPR-related offences.
Fourth, law enforcement is being strengthened. Both administrative and judicial protection are provided, which complement each other. We have launched special national operations against IPR-infringement activities, and 50 centres have been set up across China for handling IPR-violation complaints to step up the fight against copyright infringement and piracy.
Fifth, we are working to raise public awareness of the importance of IPR protection to encourage consumers, businesses and social groups to play their part in protecting IPR. Sixth, we have taken an active part in international co-operation and have ongoing dialogue with the EU on IPR protection.
In short, China’s IPR protection effort will carry the full force of steel, and it will definitely not be something that is soft as bean curd, so to speak.“
Read The Times interview here.
