China will establish intellectual property right (IPR) service centers in 50 major cities from this year to investigate reports of infringement and other IPR complaints.

"We aim to arouse the whole society to strengthen enforcement of IPR protection," said Jiang Zengwei, director of the State Office of Intellectual Property Protection, Friday at a forum in Shanghai.

Jiang, also vice-minister of commerce, said that the government would take more effective measures to protect IPR in cooperation with the international community.

He said China had developed an IPR protection action plan for 2006, which included:

Tightening laws and regulations, strengthening law enforcement and cracking down on IPR infringements.

Improving the IPR protection mechanism and enhancing international exchanges and cooperation.

Increasing publicity on IPR protection awareness of the whole society.

He said the government would hold an exhibition of China's achievements in IPR protection in Beijing in mid-April.

Source: Xinhua