Obvious achievements in regard to the protection of intellectual property rights have been made by the Chinese government and great importance was attached to the subject, Vice-Premier Wu Yi said on Monday.

Wu, who is also head of a national working group on IPR protection, made her remarks after visiting an exhibition showcasing China's achievements in protecting trademarks, patents, copyrights and other intellectual properties.

The vice-premier visited the exhibition, the first of its kind held in China, at the military museum in downtown Beijing. .

After being briefed by officials from the Ministry of Public Security, the State Intellectual Property Office and other relevant bodies Wu said China's efforts in IPR protection over the recent years had produced significant results.

The vice-premier warned that the protection of IPR was not something which could be done at a stroke. She demanded strenuous and long-term efforts to put an end to the problem. 

The protection of IPR had to be viewed as part of the national drive to build an innovative country, she said.

The exhibition was organized by the national working group on the protection of IPR. It was opened on Sunday and will last eight days.

(Xinhua News Agency April 18, 2006)