China attaches high importance to IPR: vice premier

Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang said on Monday that China will continue to place great importance on intellectual property rights protection.

Wang made the remarks while meeting with Wendell P. Weeks, chairman and chief executive officer of Corning Incorporated, a large manufacturer of specialty glass and ceramics.

In 2011, Corning Inc. accused China's Hebei Dongxu Investment Group Ltd. of stealing secrets used in the production of glass for computers, smartphone and television displays.

Corning filed suit July 18, 2011 against the company in the Beijing Second Intermediate People's Court.

On November 15, 2013, Corning and Dongxu amicably resolved their dispute. Corning licensed to Dongxu technology and Dongxu paid Corning fees to make Gen 6 and below flat panel display glass on the Chinese mainland.

Wang said the concord between the two companies was a model for properly resolving trade disputes between enterprises of two countries.

He said the Chinese government will try to create better conditions for fair competition and developing an innovation-based economy.

Wang hoped that Corning Inc. would work with its Chinese partners to expand their win-win cooperation.