China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said on Friday the World Trade Organization (WTO) rejected most US complaints about intellectual property rights (IPR) protection in China, which the ministry said was a "recognition of China's efforts to protect IPR."

"A report from the WTO's dispute settlement panel denied most of the complaints raised by the United States and recognized China's measures to protect IPR," MOC spokesman Yao Jian said.

He made the remarks after the WTO Dispute Settlement Body approved the panel's report Friday. The panel was established in April 2007 in response to a US request that China's IPR situation be investigated.

The complaints raised by the United States included the claims that trademark counterfeiting and copyright piracy were not prosecuted and the customs authorities only removed infringing features when dealing with counterfeit goods.

"Out of 11 complaints, the United States won only two and got three-fifths of what it sought in a third complaint," said Li Chenggang, deputy head of the Department of Treaty and Law under the MOC, adding the information came from a foreign research institute, which he did not identify.

"The panel's report supported most of China's views," he added.

"IPR protection will not only improve China's investment environment but also enhance its creativities," Yao said.

"China always contends that dialogue and cooperation are the solutions to protecting IPR," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 21, 2009)