On February 5 WIPO Asian Regional Symposium on Performances Held in Beijing. Deputy Director-General Narendra Kumar Sabharwal of the WIPO expressed the view that China had in recent years made significant progress in the area of intellectual property protection, with outstanding achievements in all of its fields, particularly in system, and had advanced among the top in the world.

DDG. Sabharwal made a positive assessment of the situation of China's IP protection. He said, China has a most modern legal system for IP protection, the Chinese government has stepped its efforts on the publicity and education of IP protection, taking a great many measures and actions to deepen the understanding of the public about copyright protection. Especially, the Chinese government has realized the important role of IP protection in promoting its economic development, and done a lot of research work, for instance, investigation on the percentage of cultural originality in the national economy. Besides, the Chinese government has actively merged itself into the grand environment of IP protection and has done a great deal in external exchange and international cooperation.

DGG. Sabharwal stressed that the Chinese government and the WIPO had set up and maintained for long a good cooperative relationship. Such cooperation is undergoing satisfactorily not only with the Chinese government but also in other areas such as educational organizations, particularly schools of higher learning and science and technology.
Regarding the decision adopted by the NPC Standing Committee in late 2006 on China's participation of the WIPO Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty, DDG. Sabharwal expressed his warm welcome to China for its participation in the two treaties. He remarked that this participation would promote the healthy development of China's performance and network entertainment industries and play an active role in building and improving the performances protecprotection system under network conditions.

 
DDG. Sabharwal showed his strong expectation on the IP protection strategy which is being currently formulated by China. He said, "As far as I know, this strategy will involve various areas of IP protection, and even gives a forecast on problems to be possibly faced in the future. I think, it is not only a channel and plan for the Chinese government to solve the issue of IP protection in the future, but also may become an exemplary model for other countries to learn as reference.  " 

It is learned that the WIPO has in recent years sponsored a number of symposia in all parts of the world that involve performances and others. The February 5-6 symposium held in Beijing is one of the important links. The WIPO has of late passed a decision by meeting that similar symposiums should be held in different areas over the world. The WIPO hoped that such a platform could be provided for performers as obligees so that they are able to speak up whatever they think and exchange views with others.

DDG. Sabharwal expressed his hope for the development of IP protection in China. He said, China has an active and practical attitude towards IP protection, and has taken many specific measures. In the future, still greater efforts can be made to enhance the awareness of the public and to speed up education accordingly, because both education and training are very important. The role of IP in economic development should be understood clearly. The WIPO will, as always, consolidate cooperation with China in respect of IP and will be pleased to offer information and guidance any time China needs.

Assistant DDG. Wang Binying expressed the view that the subject of performances was the first of its kind that was discussed in China, it can be said the first international communication in this area. This marks that China has moved a big step to dovetail with international practice in IP protection. She also pointed out, it would not do to merely reply upon the government to raise the level of IP protection, besides legislation and law-enforcement, all patentees are required to safeguard their own rights self-consciously and the public to know the harm of infringement. Only in this way, is it possible for a country to raise the level of its IP protection.