In an August 15 interview with CCTV.com, Guo Kailang, Standing Committee Member of Hunan Provincial Committee and Vice Governor of Hunan Province, talked about the achievements his government made in the special operation against IPR infringement and counterfeiting.

During the talk, Guo mentioned that during the past nine months Hunan had put 6,555 cases on file, of which 102 were key cases. Such a crackdown represents Hunan's strong determination in protecting IPR and promoting innovation and creation. It is also an effective step to build Hunan into an innovative province. 

Though located in central China, Hunan has attracted worldwide attention. In US President Barack Obama's State of the Union address on January 25, China was mentioned four times, twice were referred to Hunan. The world's fastest super computer “天河一号(Tianhe-1)” was unveiled in Changsha city; the locomotive design and electronic control system of China's high-speed rail were developed by CSR of Zhuzhou City.

The world's most cutting-edge technologies originate from Hunan. Innovation has become the key to success. How to encourage innovation and safeguard innovation is an issue which needs to be addressed from the perspective of intellectual property.

First, IPR protection is a strategic choice for changing economic development mode. The world's future competition is the competition of IPR. In the 21st century of intellectual economy, IP has become an important factor affecting national development and thus become an important strategy for many countries to enhance core competitiveness. At present, Hunan is vigorously implementing a development strategy called "four modernizations and two patterns"---a move for the transformation of economic development mode. To achieve this, it is necessary to draw support from patent creation, utilization, protection and administration and to integrate administrative, legal and marketing means.

Second, IPR is an urgent need in developing an open economy. As an open economy has taken shape, the world seems smaller while communication happens more frequently. A full play of an open economy will be able to retain talents and usher in fruits. IPRs, especially those with a large number of frontier science and core technology, will become the "engine" to drive competitiveness.

Last, IPR protection is a practical requirement in optimizing environment. Respecting IPR and protecting it in accordance with laws can not only stimulate enthusiasm of inventions, but also help create a social atmosphere respecting knowledge, labor, creation and talents. In addition, when taking IPR in mind, the public will better understand science and actively combat counterfeiting and IPR infringement.

(Source:IPR in China)