President Xi: China to further strengthen IPR protection

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China will further strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) as part of a wider push to create a more innovative economy, said Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 2018 Boao Forum for Asia.

President Xi made the remarks during a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the annual conference. The four-day event, themed "An Open and Innovative Asia for a World of Greater Prosperity," is being held in southern China’s Hainan Province from April 8-11.

President Xi stressed that IP protection is the most important element in improving the property rights protection system, and the biggest impetus to enhance China’s economic competitiveness.

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Boao Forum for Asia, Boao, Hainan Province, April 20, 2018. /CGTN Photo

China "will restructure the State Intellectual Property Office this year, enhance law enforcement and fully perform the deterrent power of laws," Xi said.

The president also encouraged technological communication and exchanges between China and foreign enterprises, adding that China will protect the IPR of foreign-funded companies based in China. He also called on foreign governments to strengthen the protection of Chinese IPR.

China launched in late 2017 a large-scale operation to ensure foreign businesses have their IPR protected in the country.

The first-of-its-kind operation involves coordination between more than 10 government departments, with new measures rolled out across the country.

It’s not the first time that China has attempted to improve IPR protection.

US chipmaker Qualcomm, the No.1 overseas owner of Chinese patents in 2017, said the last decade has seen improvements in IPR protection which could explain its growing investment in China.

Moreover, China has repeatedly pledged "zero-tolerance" on forced technology transfers.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during a conference in March said, “We will not allow forced technology transfer in the manufacturing sector or other areas. We're resolute in protecting intellectual property rights and will NOT allow infringements on the parts of overseas enterprises investing in China."

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