The second China-US International Cooperation Forum on IPR kicked off Wednesday in Washington DC, aiming to promote bilateral exchanges on intellectual property rights protection. Government officials and representatives from the private sector hailed the importance of IPR protection in promoting innovation and have pledged to deepen their cooperation in this filed. Our Washington correspondent Xiaohong has more.

Addressing the second China-US International Cooperation Forum on IPR, Deputy China International Trade Representative Chong Quan says the Chinese government has attached great importance to IPR protection and formulated national strategy in this field.

"For China, encouraging innovation and protecting IPR not only cater to the need of restructuring its economy at the moment, but will also promote future development of its society. China has established a profound legal framework and law enforcement mechanism in dealing with IPR protection. And the government is deepening and broadening its work in the field. The Chinese government has set the target of building an innovation-oriented country and has therefore put IPR protection at a national strategic level."

The Chinese official notes that in addition to establishing a legal framework, China has also carried out effective actions. In 2010, the central government launched a 10-month-long campaign across the country to crack down on manufacturing and selling fake and shoddy goods. And in 2011, the central government set up a national leading group led by Vice Premier Wang Qishan to deal with IPR infringement. All these efforts have achieved tangible results.

David Kappos, US Under Secretary of Commerce for intellectual property, praised China's efforts in this regard.

Since its WTO accession, China has indeed made tremendous progress and done tremendous work to ensure that its IP laws are compliant with its obligations under the Treat's agreement. And the work the State Council leading office is a sign of the seriousness with which China takes these efforts."

Mr. Kappos also acknowledged the achievements of China-US cooperation in recent years and stressed that a lot of work still needs to be done.

"We're aware at the USPTO that China needs in its working on better laws for the books, but also better enforcement consistent with those laws. And it is Chinese and American businesses voice frustrations about competitive losses and issues. It's vital that both of our governments have to continue to work together. We have to take firm action against the infringers and set the strong signal about the importance that right culture for intellectual property throughout the world."

The ongoing China-US International Cooperation Forum on IPR will focus on the information industry, particularly the internet.

Chinese deputy trade representative Chong Quan points out that the booming industry has brought many new challenges.

"The internet industry has entered its golden era. In China, to date, the volume of online transaction has reached six trillion yuan per year. That accounts for 13% of the total GDP. It has no doubt become a new economic growth point. Meanwhile, the protection of internet IPR has become an outstanding issue. At the recent China-US legal exchange conference, experts from both countries acknowledged that in the face of rapid technological innovation, IPR protection is more dependent on international cooperation. Only cooperation can bring development as well as create a win-win situation for both countries. Such a cooperative concept is not only conducive to our bilateral diplomatic relations, but will also benefit our cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, as well as IPR protection."

Chong Quan believes the exchanges between China and the US at both government and private levels will help strengthen IPR protection and benefit businesses in both countries.

The Chinese delegation is comprised of eight major government agencies and some leading internet companies in China. They will also tour to Salt Lake City and Los Angeles to exchange ideas with their US counterparts.