China slams US 'notorious markets list' accusation

A U.S. list that called several Chinese online and physical marketplaces "notorious" lacks evidence and is "irresponsible and biased," China's Ministry of Commerce said Tuesday.

The Notorious Market List 2013 issued by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) earlier this month named three Chinese websites and five physical marketplaces as "notorious" for alleged copyright piracy and trademark counterfeiting.

"The results are merely based on very vague sources like 'rights holders' or 'reportedly' when accusing Chinese marketplaces," said the ministry's spokesman, Shen Danyang, at a press conference.

Although the USTR office said the Notorious Markets List does not purport to reflect findings of legal violations, Shen said the U.S. agency should be responsible for its report.

"We urge the U.S. office to conduct an overall, objective and fair review of Chinese firms' efforts and progress in intellectual property rights protection," Shen said.

USTR has identified notorious markets since 2006 and published the first list as an Out-of-Cycle Review in 2011.

Kuaibo.com, Xunlei.com, Aiseesoft.com, Garment Wholesale Center, Buynow PC Malls, Luohu Commercial Center, Silk Market and Zengcheng International Jeans Market were on the 2013 list.