"The Chinese government has a strong attitude and confidence in
fighting counterfeiting and will continue to fulfill strictly its
international obligations and further its cooperation with the
region in terms of IPR protection," said Vice Premier Wu
Yi?in a letter presented on Monday to the Global
Congress/World Customs Organization (WCO) Regional Forum on
Protection of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). The two-day
meeting is being held in Shanghai.
Following the First Global Congress on fighting counterfeiting
held in Brussels in May, the forum is one of the most significant
IPR events in the Asia-Pacific region. It is also a major effort by
the General Administration of Customs of China since it was
nominated as vice chair of the WCO in June. China vowed at the
meeting to become an Asian-Pacific model in the fight against
counterfeiting.
Countries in the Asia-Pacific region, their administrations,
agencies and private sector partners have identified counterfeiting
as a major problem. It significantly harms national and business
interests through the loss of tax and company revenues, diversion
of resources and higher costs for law enforcement, creating a
negative impact on economic development, employment and
investment.
Data presented at the forum show that trade in counterfeits
endangers the health, safety and security of consumers. Trade in
fake goods amounts to nearly US$600 billion a year, and a large
proportion of it goes to funding international organized crime.
"Combating counterfeiting has become a major agenda of the
international community as the trade in this sector enlarges and
grows as a problem, which requires governments at all levels to
place a higher priority on it," said Kunio Mikuriya, WCO deputy
secretary general.
Mikuriya praised China's efforts in fighting counterfeiting and
urged the country to be more dedicated.
The forum, serving to enhance cooperation and identify areas for
improving synergies and action, is expected to discuss and pass a
Shanghai Initiative on Tuesday.
Established in 1952 as the Customs Cooperation Council and
headquartered in Belgium, the WCO is an independent
intergovernmental body whose mission is to enhance the
effectiveness and efficiency of Customs administrations. With 164
member countries, it is the only intergovernmental worldwide
organization competent in Customs matters.
An Asia-Pacific Secretariat of the WCO IPR Strategic Group was
established early this year to help WCO members find solutions to
the problem of counterfeiting in the region.
?? Han Zheng, mayor of Shanghai
Yu Chu, deputy secretary-general of WCO
(China Daily, China.org.cn November 23,
2004)
