China will continue stepping up protection of intellectual property rights, particularly in cutting-edge digital fields such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, as the country aims to fuel sustainable innovation in emerging industries amid its rising technological strength, said experts.

The remarks followed a news conference held by the State Council Information Office early on Friday, during which the Annual Report on China's Combating of IPR Infringement and Counterfeiting (2024) was released.

The report outlines the new measures and achievements China made in 2024 to combat intellectual property infringement and counterfeiting, with continued efforts to strengthen criminal enforcement against such violations.

It notes that as a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation accelerates, the global economy is rapidly advancing toward greater digitalization, green development and intelligent upgrading.

"China is expected to step up efforts to protect the trade secrets of high-tech enterprises, safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests while ensuring a fair and competitive market environment," said Li Jiantao, director general of the bureau of intellectual property crime investigation of the Ministry of Public Security.

In addition, the ministry will closely monitor the development of emerging industries and new business models in the digital economy, and legally crack down on new forms of intellectual property rights infringement, particularly those involving the use of advanced technologies to commit such crimes, Li said.

In addition to safeguarding high-tech enterprises, the State Administration for Market Regulation has introduced a series of regulatory frameworks to address issues such as online counterfeiting and IP infringement. These measures have clarified the legal basis for enforcement, standardized trading practices, and delivered positive outcomes.

"Regulatory authorities have stepped up enforcement efforts, spearheading a campaign to strengthen oversight of the online market, promote development, and safeguard security," said Bai Qingyuan, vice-minister of the State Administration for Market Regulation.

The campaign resulted in the investigation of 36,000 internet-related cases and the removal of 287,000 listings of illegal goods from online platforms.

The administration will work to foster a sound online shopping environment, enhance the consumer experience, and promote the standardized, healthy, and sustainable development of the platform economy, Bai said.

While encouraging technological advancement, the report introduces compliance frameworks to mitigate ethical risks, thereby providing a stable and foreseeable regulatory landscape for the development of the AI industry, said Lin Shen, an associate research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of World Economics and Politics.

"This enhanced protection mechanism is expected to act as a catalyst for the country's high-tech industries, boosting returns on R&D investment and accelerating the formation of a virtuous cycle linking innovation, IP protection, and market rewards," Lin said.

In the future, China is expected to further strengthen international cooperation by deepening cross-border enforcement collaboration and establishing a rapid response mechanism for overseas intellectual property disputes, thereby reducing the risks faced by companies expanding globally, Lin added.

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