China on Saturday urged the United States to assess the protection of intellectual property rights (IPRs) by foreign governments, including the Chinese government, in a fair and objective manner with a spirit of goodwill.

The statement was issued by the Ministry of Commerce on its website in response to the Office of the United States Trade Representative's Friday release of the "2018 Special 301 Report on Intellectual Property Rights." China has been placed on the office's Priority Watch List this year.

"China objects to this move by the United States and urges the U.S. to faithfully fulfill its bilateral commitments and respect the facts," the Ministry of Commerce said in the statement.

The United States has been unilaterally judging and criticizing other countries' IPR conditions for a long time, without objective criteria or impartiality. The moves have received universal opposition from other countries.

The Chinese government attaches high importance to IPR protection, treating it as the most important part of improving property protection system and the biggest incentive for improving its economic competitiveness.

For years, China has constantly optimized its legislation and enhanced its administrative and judical efforts in IPR protection. Its regulations and levels of protection are in line with international rules.

Meanwhile, China continues to open wider to the world by implementing a "negative list" system, treating domestic and foreign-funded companies equally, and working to improve its business environment and investment climate for foreign companies.

Given the evolution of new technology and the global value chain, IPR protection has become a common issue humanity must face in innovation and development, said the Ministry of Commerce, adding that China is willing to work with other countries to strengthen international cooperation and exchange in intellectual property and jointly grapple with challenges.

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