The Municipal Party Secretary WU Weirong headed a delegation to the US recently, introducing and promoting the IPR protection work of Yiwu, dubbed as the “word’s largest market”. Americans, while surprised at the success and achievements of Yiwu in IPR protection, have come to know a fresh image of China in terms of IPR protection. People of vision believe that the visit was of the national strategic importance, which demonstrated the distinctive standpoint of China in IPR protection by showing what Yiwu has achieved.
　　This visit was at the invitation of US Consulate General in Shanghai and the Office of Ichihashi Naito, General Affairs Committee, Upper House of Japan. WU’s party consisted of officials and executives from the Yiwu Procuratorate, the Industry & Commerce Bureau, the Foreign Affairs Office, the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office and Zhejiang China Commodities City Group Co., Ltd. After visiting the US and Japan, Wu also paid a visit to Hong Kong. During the visits, the delegation studied and discussed with their local counterparts on IPR protection and cooperation among cities.
　　In Washington, the delegation had in-depth discussions on IPR protection with officials and lawyers of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the US Customs and Border Protection, the United States Department of Justice and the Department of Commerce. WU Weirong fully introduced what Yiwu had done and achieved in IPR protection. He said, Yiwu is the world’s largest market of small commodities and over 60% of its 1.7 million kinds of commodities are for export to overseas markets. Over the years, Yiwu has been focusing on IPR protection, cracking down on IPR infringement and encouraging local businesses to establish their own brands. In particular, Yiwu Leadership Panel for IPR Protection was organized and coordination mechanism of departments involved in IPR protection shaped, which have become an effective platform for handling IPR infringement cases. Chief Procurator WENG Yueqiang and Director-General of the Industry & Commerce Bureau QIU Zengfa introduced the work and results of their departments in IPR protection, and discussed with their US counterparts on how to cope with the foreign-related IPR infringement cases and how to identify the validity of passports held by foreigners.
　　In the discussion, WU Weirong pointed out that IPR protection, as a global concern, needed extensive international cooperation and that the countries should strengthen communication and sharing of information. WU also referred to bias towards China’s IPR protection in the US Special 301 Report issued a few years ago. He invited the US IPR professionals to China, especially Yiwu, for study and investigation tours, so that clearer image of China’s efforts in IPR protection can be gathered. He gave an example by mentioning Mr. Kenneth Jarrett, former US Consul-General in Shanghai, who turned from a doubter to a supporter for Yiwu’s IPR protection efforts after several personal visits to the city. Before leaving office, Mr. Jarrett paid a farewell visit to Yiwu, speaking highly of what Yiwu has done in IPR protection. WU also said this year a Whitepaper on Yiwu IPR Work would be published, which would help the US better understand the measures taken by Yiwu in IPR protection. After listening to the introduction, officials with the US Department of Commerce said the exchange had given them a fresh idea of what China’s IPR protection was like.
　　In Philadelphia, WU held an official meeting with Mayor Michael Nutter and his colleagues. Mayor Nutter expressed keen interests in Yiwu after listening to the briefing of the city. Though Philadelphia has already had a sister city in China, Mayor Nutter extended wishes for business cooperation and substantial exchanges with Yiwu.
　　While in the United States, the delegation also met with officials of Brooklyn Borough and Manhattan Borough of New York City, briefing to them about Yiwu and Yiwu market, which drew great attention from them. The district major of Brooklyn Borough Marty Markowitz said the district was home to 130,000 American Chinese residents, which constituted the basis for cooperation between Brooklyn and China. He hoped to get into substantial cooperation and exchanges, especially in business, with Yiwu, to promote Brooklyn products and services on the platform of Yiwu market. He recalled his visit to China 10 years ago and said he was planning to pay a second visit. He promised Yiwu would be an important leg in his future visit.
　　The delegation also studied the business environment in the States by visiting the US-Asia Products Center in Maryland and discussed with Micky Roley, vice head of Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Robert Hawk, director of Maryland International Trade and Investment and leaders of Chinese associations and organizations in the States. In the discussions, the delegation learned about the impact of financial crisis and measures the US government has taken to address the crisis, getting the first-hand information that is helpful for Yiwu market in terms of transformation and upgrade, as well as entry into the US market.
　　In Japan, the delegation headed by WU Weirong was warmly received by Japan Upper House and governments of Taitou of Tokyo, Kobe and Osaka. Accompanied by Nakayama, former councilor of Taitou, the delegation visited Asakusa in Tokyo and had a deeper understanding of the economic situation and investment opportunities in Japan. WU said Yiwu should make greater efforts to promote itself in Japan and emphasize the contacts with the country.
　　During the visit, the delegation also met with Chinese Consul-General PENG Keyu in New York, Minister LIU Guangyuan of Chinese Embassy in US, Consul-General HUANG Ping in Chicago and Consul-General ZHENG Xianglin in Osaka, briefing to them about what Yiwu had done and achieved in the battle against the global financial crisis. It is believed that Yiwu should grasp the opportunities for further growth as it is the best time to enter the US and the Japanese markets.