China yesterday called on its trading partners to engage in dialogue to resolve disputes on intellectual property rights (IPR) protection amid reports that Japan is considering joining the United States in filing a complaint at the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Wang Ziqiang, spokesman for the National Copyright Administration, said yesterday that piracy and counterfeiting are global problems and countries need to address them through talks rather than filing complaints at the global trade body.

"Piracy and counterfeiting do exist in China, but this does not justify the US' move to file a complaint at the WTO," said Wang at a press briefing hosted by the State Council Information Office on IPR protection in the country.

Japanese media reports said Tokyo had received a request from the United States - and is considering it - to join consultations between Beijing and Washington as a third party. It is expected to decide this week.

Washington filed two complaints at the WTO earlier this month, alleging China was not forceful enough in enforcing copyright and trademark protection and failed to lift restrictions on imports of foreign newspapers, magazines and video games.

The Ministry of Commerce said China has yet to receive requests from other countries to join either of the two cases and declined to comment.

Meanwhile, the country's largest trade partner - the European Union - said it will not join the United States in the action against China.

EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson was quoted by Xinhua News Agency as saying he prefers negotiations to solve disputes of this kind.

"I, as you know, favor dialogue over WTO cases. Dialogue is my preference," Mandelson said.

Mei Xinyu, a trade researcher with the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, said Japan is reportedly keen on joining the consultations between China and the United States rather than file a separate request.

Any WTO member can ask to join the consultations as a third party or file a separate complaint. Japan chose the latter option when the US accused China over industrial subsidies earlier this year and restrictions on imports of auto parts last year.

Wang also refuted US accusations that China's "restrictions" on imports of audio and video product created the conditions for piracy as "groundless".

He said that China does have a limit of 20 foreign movies that can be imported a year, but that is in line with its WTO commitments. As for audio and video imports, there is no limit on their numbers, he said.

Source: China Daily