China and the European Union hold a joint forum on intellectual property in Brussels

Representatives from China and the European Union (EU) jointly hosted, along with officials from the European Patent Office (EPO), a forum on March 6, 2009 in Brussels. Entitled “High Level Forum of Intellectual Property Rights”, the forum allowed the two parties to exchange views and ideas regarding their collaboration in the protection of intellectual property.
Chong Quan, Assistant Minister to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, delivered the following statement at a common press conference following the forum: “The Chinese government attaches a great importance to a consistent policy regarding the protection of intellectual property. Thirty years have passed since the beginning of the reform program, and this field has developed at a constantly high pace. Protecting intellectual property is crucial to the development of China itself. Intellectual property is a global issue which demands cooperation on an international level, and China intends to strengthen its cooperation with the EU and to accelerate exchange and transfer of technology in order to create a positive environment for the continuation of our common economic development and trade relations”.