China regrets that the United States requested the World Trade Organization (WTO) to set up a dispute settlement panel to solve the intellectual property rights (IPR) disputes between the two sides.

Wang Xinpei, spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce, made the remarks in a news conference here Thursday.

The Chinese government has always been firm in protecting IPR and tried to solve IPR protection problems through dialogues, Wang said.

China has detailed and clarified problems raised by the US and showed great sincerity, Wang said.

China's laws regarding IPR protection completely meet WTO requirements, Wang said, adding China is opposed to any WTO member's move of making developing members shoulder extra obligations through dispute settlement system, Wang said.

China is studying the US request and will act actively, Wang said.

The United States on Monday requested the WTO to establish a dispute settlement panel regarding so-called China's deficiencies in intellectual property protection.

The US initiated the dispute over the issue by requesting consultations with China on April 10, 2007.

Under WTO rules, the WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) will consider the US. request for the establishment of a panel at its next meeting on August 31.

(Xinhua News Agency August 17, 2007)