BEIJING, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said here Wednesday the government would increase efforts to protect intellectual property rights (IPR).

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao(R) meets with Francis Gurry(L), director-general of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Beijing, April 1, 2009. Wen said that the government would increase efforts to protect intellectual property rights (IPR). (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Wen was speaking in a meeting with Francis Gurry, director-general of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

    IPR protection was necessary not only for economic development and country-to-country exchanges, but also a matter of respecting the value of people's work, Wen said.

    The Chinese government would continue to implement the IPR strategy to promote scientific innovation, economic growth, cultural prosperity and social progress, he said.

    Gurry spoke highly of China's big progress in IPR protection and said the WIPO would work with China to contribute to the global IPR protection efforts.

    Gurry attended a high-level inter-regional intellectual property forum of the WIPO in Beijing on Tuesday. He urged advanced countries to provide developing nations with more assistance on innovative technology transfer.

    Gurry is visiting China for the first time since he took office in October 2008.

    China has intensified IPR protection, with nationwide campaigns launched every year since 2004. Last year, the government unveiled its Outline of National Intellectual Property Rights Strategy, aimed at promoting innovation and the use of new technologies by China's industries.