politics

Japan, China to set up body on intellectual property rights

8 Comments

Japan and China agreed Sunday to establish for the first time a working group to consider creating a legal framework and enforcing crackdowns to curb violations of intellectual property rights.

They also agreed to seek more leadership from the United States on advancing global trade liberalization talks, saying concluding them will benefit the administration of President Barack Obama, said Toshihiro Nikai, minister of economy, trade and industry.

A memorandum Nikai and Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming signed stipulates that the intellectual property working group meet once a year. Nikai asked that the working group convene its first meeting by the end of the year.

A 2004 study by the Japan Patent Office estimated Japanese companies' losses in China from pirated goods totaled about 9.3 trillion yen in terms of sales.

Nikai said he asked Chen to drop an envisaged compulsory certification system on information technology products made by foreign companies. Nikai proposed that China refer the case to an internationally mutual certification system.

Chen was quoted as telling Nikai that Beijing took note of Japan's high level of interest in the issue.

China says it will introduce the system next May for public procurement of foreign-made items such as computer security software. Japan, the United States and Europe are concerned that the practice would allow Beijing to obtain otherwise secret information about such products.

Nikai also voiced concern about China's curbs on exports of rare metals.

The two ministers met on the sidelines of the high-level Japan-China economic dialogue, where economic ministers and senior officials from both sides are focusing on steps to address the slumping global economy and to ensure food safety.

At the one-day gathering, Tokyo and Beijing will also discuss issues such as climate change, saving energy and environmental protection, according to Japanese officials.

The two are expected to issue several documents after the meeting, including one on bilateral tie-ups to help developing countries build infrastructure, the officials said.

Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone is representing Japan at the meeting, the second of its kind following the first session in December 2007 in Beijing. China is being represented by Vice Premier Wang Qishan.

© Wire reports

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

8 Comments
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Interesting to note that economic talks will be attended by foreign minister and there is no mention of global warming or frozen gyoza !

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All talk and no action, the only thing they agreed on what to meet once a year. How about some action people?

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Chen was quoted as telling Nikai that Beijing took note of Japan’s high level of interest in the issue.

That's a non-statement if ever I heard one!

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You always have to love the 'talks' that these countries have. What they are are just lip-service to the actual issues.

"We have agreed to hold talks on future talks on the issue... a MAJOR step towards good relations!"

Reminds me of whenever the Japanese government decides to do something. They just send out a panel to study it, then suggest that something should be done.

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snooze-fest

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and get the shovels

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Talk is cheap! If I know the Beijing government, they will continue copying everything and anything. Look at all the newest "Chinese cars" yes they are not intellectual property but just the tip of the iceberg.

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Again, "China" and "intellectual property rights" is an oxymoron.

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