The Chinese government expressed deep regret about the United States' decision to once again put China on its "priority watch list" of countries that are not providing protection of intellectual property rights or fair access to US companies.

It is the ninth consecutive year that the Office of the United States Trade Representative has placed China on its watch list. The other countries on the list are Algeria, Argentina, Chile, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Russia, Thailand and Venezuela. Ukraine was the first designated "priority foreign country" in 11 years.

China's Ministry of Commerce said the central government has made strides to improve IPR protection, legislation and enforcement. The ministry also said the Chinese government "attaches great attention to commercial-secrets protection," and that "China is willing to enhance cooperation with other governments, including the US, to improve the world's IPR protection."

(Source: China Daily)