Take action on IPR, State firms urged

SHENZHEN: Companies under the direct supervision of the central government were told there's still a long way to go on intellectual property rights (IPR) protection at a two-day conference that began yesterday in Shenzhen.

Huang Shuhe, vice-minister of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), said companies needed to plan, innovate and commercialize to protect IPR and catch up with their global counterparts.

He also said the companies at the conference, all under the direct supervision of the central government, needed to develop a better understanding of the importance and urgency of the work.