WIPO Director General Meet Chinese President

Geneva, January 27, 1999
Press Releases PR/1999/152

The Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization, Dr. Kamil Idris, met on Wednesday, the President of the People's Republic of China, Mr. Jiang Zemin, and pledged WIPO's continued support of Beijing's efforts to enhance and strengthen its intellectual property system.

During an hour-long meeting, Dr. Idris congratulated President Jiang Zemin for his "leadership, foresight, charisma and vision" in the area of intellectual property and for the reform he has initiated in the People's Republic of China. "I should like to congratulate you for having established very solid institutions in charge of intellectual property protection," Dr. Idris said.

In the People's Republic of China, three separate offices oversee protection of the intellectual property system. These are the State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO), the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC), and the National Copyright Administration of China (NCAC).

President Jiang Zemin said his country attaches great importance to the protection of intellectual property rights. He said that China has already made significant progress in the field of intellectual property protection and is in the process of revising its intellectual property laws. The President said that China will do all that it can to protect intellectual property rights and to meet international requirements. The Chinese leader acknowledged WIPO's central role in supporting China's efforts to strengthen its intellectual property system.

Dr. Idris pledged WIPO's continued support of China's efforts to enhance its intellectual property infrastructure. "I would like to use this occasion to tell you very openly that WIPO will continue to render its support to China and we will provide the necessary technical assistance," Dr. Idris said. He further noted that China, in a record period of time, has built reliable intellectual property protection institutions, but noted that many challenges lie ahead. The greatest challenge, Dr. Idris said, is to find the necessary linkage between science and technology and the intellectual property system. He said science and technology and the intellectual property system are "two faces of the same coin." Dr. Idris said developing countries should use the system to trigger economic growth and development. The effective protection of intellectual property rights will encourage local inventors, protect local artistic work, authors and folklore as well as attract foreign investment. This will in turn facilitate the transfer and adaptation of technology, the Director General observed.

Responding to concerns by President Jiang Zemin about gaps in the development levels of countries, Dr. Idris said one of the main objectives of WIPO "is to bridge the imbalance between developed and developing countries and establish justice and equality." The Director General said globalization should not mean marginalization. Globalization should mean more opportunities and markets for all, including developing countries. In the context of a legal framework, Dr. Idris said, works of the mind and technology should be made available to all nations.

Dr. Idris is on the second day of his first official visit to China, which ends on Thursday, 27 January, 1999. This is Dr. Idris' first visit to China since he took over the position of Director General. Dr. Idris and his high-level delegation are holding talks with top intellectual property officials in China. The WIPO delegation met with SIPO Commissioner, Ms. Jiang Zing, SAIC Commissioner, Mr. Wang Zhongfu and NCAC Commissioner, Mr. Yu Youxian.

At a ceremony at SIPO on Monday, Dr. Idris presented a collection of WIPO's publications to the China Intellectual Property Training Center (CIPTC). Accepting the donation, SIPO Commissioner and Dean of the Training Center, Ms. Jiang Zing, thanked WIPO and expressed hope that WIPO will continue to provide the Center with assistance to help make CIPTC a base of intellectual property instruction for the Asia-Pacific Region.

Dr. Idris also met with Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr. Yang Jiechi, who pledged that his Ministry will continue to strengthen its relations with WIPO. Dr. Idris said WIPO will continue to render technical and legal assistance to China in its efforts to strengthen its intellectual property system.

The WIPO delegation also met with senior officials at the Ministry of Science and Technology. Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Mr. Hui Yongyheng, responded favorably to an idea by the Director General to convene an international symposium later this year on the innovation and protection of plant varieties, and in particular, the challenge posed to food security. In addition, Mr. Hui also informed the Director General that the National People's Congress had approved China's accession to the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) (1978 Act). China's instrument of accession will be deposited with UPOV's Secretary-General shortly.

For further information, please contact the Media Relations and Public Affairs Section at WIPO:

Tel: (+41 22) 338 8161 or 338 95 47
Fax: (+41 22) 338 88 10
E-mail: publicinf@wipo.int