China regrets that the United States has 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 on Thursday.

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

China has detailed and clarified the US concerns and showed great sincerity, Wang stated.

China's laws regarding IPR protection wholly meet WTO requirements, Wang said. China is opposed to any WTO member's action that causes developing members to shoulder extra obligations via the dispute settlement system, Wang added.

China is studying the US request and will take appropriate actions, Wang said.

On Monday the United States requested the WTO to establish a dispute settlement panel regarding China’s so-called 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 at its next meeting on August 31.

(Xinhua News Agency August 17, 2007)