The nation vowed in Shanghai yesterday to become an Asian-Pacific model in the fight against counterfeiting, while enhancing cooperation with the international community.

"The Chinese Government has a strong attitude and confidence in fighting counterfeiting and will continue to strictly fulfil its international obligations and further its cooperation with the region in terms of IPR protection," said Vice-Premier Wu Yi in a letter to the Global Congress/World Customs Organization (WCO) Regional Forum on Protection of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).

Following the First Global Congress on fighting counterfeiting held in Brussels in May, the two-day forum is one of the most significant events in the region, officials say. 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.

Countries in the region, their administrations, agencies and private sector partners have identified counterfeiting as a major problem. It causes untold harm to national and business interests through the loss of tax and company revenues, diversion of resources, higher costs for law enforcement and negative impacts on economic development, employment and investment.

Data available at the forum shows that trade in counterfeits endangers the health, safety and security of consumers. Nearly US$600 billion a year is traded in fake goods, 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.

The forum, serving to enhance cooperation and identify areas for improving synergy and action, will discuss and pass a Shanghai Initiative Tuesday.

Mikuriya praised China's efforts in fighting counterfeiting and urged the country to be more dedicated.

(China Daily November 23, 2004)