An intellectual property symposium jointly organized by China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) opened in Beijing yesterday, attended by more than 80 participants from China and the 10 ASEAN member countries.

Tian Lipu, commissioner of China's State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO), said at the opening ceremony that as China and the ASEAN have established their strategic partnership and are working toward a free trade zone, both sides are paying closer attention to intellectual property protection, which is crucial to scientific advancement and trade.

The five-day symposium will focus on the construction of an intellectual property legal system, intellectual property rights acquisition and management, intellectual property rights protection and economic development, intellectual property information dissemination and personnel training.

(Xinhua News Agency September 6, 2005)