China published on Saturday a new statute on patents for defense-related technologies. The move is part of the government's commitment to step up protection of intellectual property rights.

The new Statute on Defense Patents was signed by Premier Wen Jiabao and then-Chairman of the Central Military Commission Jiang Zemin on September 17.

The new provisions will go into effect on November 1, replacing the existing Statute on Defense Patents that was enacted on July 30, 1990.

The new statute includes five articles and 36 clauses covering applications, inspections and approvals of defense patents.

One of most significant differences in the new law is that special agencies will now be designated to help with applications for defense-related patents.

(Xinhua News Agency October 10, 2004)