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China 'regrets' WTO ruling but vows cooperation on IPR
Beijing (AFP) Jan 27, 2009 China on Tuesday expressed regret over a World Trade Organisation ruling that backed the United States in a copyright protection dispute, but pledged to cooperate with other countries on the issue. "As we continually strengthen domestic intellectual property rights, we will continue to promote international exchanges and cooperation on IPR and promote the healthy development of global trade relations," commerce ministry spokesman Yao Jian said in a statement. The statement on the ministry's website was the first Chinese reaction to the WTO's Monday ruling in the case. The US had challenged what it called shortcomings in patent protection for imported products in China, as well as in Chinese copyright law. "On customs policies and copyright protection law, the (WTO) did not support China's stance. The Chinese side expresses its regret," Yao's statement said. He added that China was also preparing a report to further explain the country's position, offering no other details. AFP calls to the ministry went unanswered on Tuesday. Government offices were shut for the week-long Lunar New Year holiday. Washington has long accused China of tolerating rampant copyright infringement that the United States says costs its companies billions of dollars in lost sales. The ruling by a WTO dispute resolution panel said Chinese copyright law and some customs measures failed to provide sufficient IPR protection. It recommended "that China bring the copyright law and the Customs measures into conformity with its obligations." However, it did not endorse the US insistence that an overly high threshold for prosecution made it too difficult for Chinese pirates and counterfeiters to be brought to justice, allowing countless small-time operators to thrive. The Chinese commerce ministry's response said it "welcomes" that aspect of the ruling. The clash over intellectual property was the fourth case involving a formal US challenge to trade practices in China, whose ballooning trade surplus and handling of counterfeit goods has in recent years been a political flashpoint. Chinese-made counterfeit goods -- from software and DVDs to luxury leather goods and watches -- are widely available in the US and Chinese markets. Related Links Global Trade News
Geithner assails China as Treasury confirmation moves closer
Washington (AFP) Jan 22, 2009Incoming Treasury secretary Timothy Geithner vowed to get tough with China and redesign the crisis-hit US financial system as his nomination passed a crucial hurdle in the Senate Thursday. |
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