WTO中国工作组关于中国入世报告（英文）（四）
[来源] [发布日期] 2004-03-23
7.SpecialEconomicAreas
218.MembersoftheWorkingPartynotedthattherewasinsufficientinformationavailableconcerningspecialeconomicareaswithinChina'scustomsterritory,includingbordertraderegionsandminorityautonomousareas,SEZs,opencoastalcities,economicandtechnicaldevelopmentzonesandotherareaswherespecialregimesfortariffs,taxesandregulationshadbeenestablished(collectivelyreferredtoas"specialeconomicareas"),inparticulartheirnames,geographicboundaries,andrelevantlaws,regulationsandothermeasuresrelatingthereto.
219.Inresponse,therepresentativeofChinastatedthatsince1979Chinahadestablishedanumberofspecialeconomicareaswheremoreopenpolicieswereapplied.TheyincludedfiveSEZs,14opencoastalcities,sixopencitiesalongtheYangtzeRiver,21provincialcapitalcitiesand13inlandboundarycities.Thosespecialeconomicareasenjoyedgreaterflexibilityinutilizingforeigncapital,introducingforeigntechnologyandconductingeconomiccooperationoverseas.Atpresent,foreigninvestorswereentitledtocertainpreferentialtreatment.
220.TherepresentativeofChinafurtherstatedthatFIEslocatedinSEZsortheEconomicandTechnicalDevelopmentZonesofopencoastalcitieswereentitledtoacorporateincometaxrateof15percent(thenormalincometaxwas33percent).Profitsremittedabroadbyforeigninvestorswereexemptedfromincometax.Thepreferentialincometaxrateof15percentwasapplicabletotechnology-intensiveorknowledge-intensiveitemsorprojectswithforeigninvestmentofoverUS$30million,aswellasenterprisesthatoperatedinthefieldsofenergy,transportandportconstruction.
221.TherepresentativeofChinanotedthatthroughoutthecustomsterritoryofChina,asocialistmarketeconomysystemwasapplied.In1999,theforeigntradevolumeofSEZsaccountedfornearlyonefifthofthenation'stotal.ThenationallawsandregulationsontaxationwereapplicabletoSEZsinauniformmanner.
222.Inresponsetofurtherrequestsforinformation,therepresentativeofChinaindicatedthattherewasnoplantoestablishanynewSEZs.ThespecialpreferentialtariffpoliciesappliedtoSEZshadbeeneliminated.WiththedevelopmentofChina'seconomicreformandopeningup,Chinawouldimplementitstariffpolicyuniformlythroughoutitscustomsterritory.MembersoftheWorkingPartyexpressedconcernthatimportedproductsintroducedfromthesespecialeconomicareasintootherpartsofChina'scustomsterritoryshouldbesubjecttothesametreatmentintheapplicationofalltaxes,importrestrictionsandcustomsdutiesandotherchargesasthatnormallyappliedtoimportsintotheotherpartsofChina'scustomsterritory.TherepresentativeofChinastatedthatChinawouldundertaketoensuresuchnon-discriminatorytreatment.TheWorkingPartytooknoteofthiscommitment.
223.SomemembersoftheWorkingPartyalsoraisedconcernsastowhethertheassistanceprovidedtominorityautonomousregionsandotherareasofeconomicpovertywasconsistentwithWTOrequirements.Inresponse,therepresentativeofChinaconfirmedthatChinahadaclearcommitmenttouniformadministrationofthetraderegimewithineachsuchareaandthat,uponaccession,ChinawouldensurethatsuchassistancewouldbeimplementedconsistentwithWTOobligations.TheWorkingPartytooknoteofthiscommitment.
224.SomemembersoftheWorkingPartyrequestedthatChinatakestepstoensurethatallproductsimportedintotheotherpartsofthecustomsterritoryofChinafromspecialeconomicareaswouldbesubjecttothesamenormalcustomsdutiesandchargesasanyotherproductimportedintothecustomsterritoryofChina.Inparticular,thosemembersrequestedthatChinaundertakeacommitmenttoapplyalltaxes,chargesandmeasuresaffectingimports,includingimportrestrictionsandcustomsandtariffcharges,thatwerenormallyappliedtoimportsintotheotherpartsofChina'scustomsterritorytoallimportedproducts,includingphysicallyincorporatedcomponents,enteringChina'scustomsterritoryfromthespecialeconomicareas.
225.TherepresentativeofChinaconfirmedthatChinawouldstrengthentheuniformenforcementoftaxes,tariffsandnon-tariffmeasuresontradebetweenitsspecialeconomicareasandtheotherpartsofChina'scustomsterritory.TherepresentativeofChinafurtherconfirmedthatstatisticsontradebetweenChina'sspecialeconomicareasandtheotherpartsofitscustomsterritorywouldbemaintainedandimproved,andwouldbenotifiedtotheWTOonaregularbasis.TheWorkingPartytooknoteofthesecommitments.
226.SomemembersoftheWorkingPartyrequestedthatChinanotifytheWTOofalltherelevantlaws,regulationsandothermeasuresrelatingtoitsspecialeconomicareas.Theyaskedthatthenotificationlistandidentifyallthosespecialeconomicareas.ThosemembersalsorequestedthatChinanotifytheWTOpromptly,butinanycasewithin60days,ofanyadditionsormodificationstoitsspecialeconomicareas,includingnotificationofthelaws,regulationsandothermeasuresrelatingthereto.
227.TherepresentativeofChinaconfirmedthatChinawouldprovideinformationinitsnotificationsdescribinghowthespecialtrade,tariff,andtaxregulationsappliedwerelimitedtothedesignatedspecialeconomicareas,includinginformationconcerningtheirenforcement.TheWorkingPartytooknoteofthiscommitment.
228.InresponsetoconcernsraisedbysomemembersoftheWorkingParty,therepresentativeofChinaconfirmedthatanypreferentialarrangementsprovidedtoforeigninvestedenterpriseslocatedwithinthespecialeconomicareaswouldbeprovidedonanon-discriminatorybasis.TheWorkingPartytooknoteofthiscommitment.
8.Transit
229.TherepresentativeofChinastatedthatthecurrentregulationoftransitinChina,theRegulationsoftheCustomsofthePeople'sRepublicofChinaontheSupervisionandAdministrationofTransitGoods,wasconsistentwithArticleVoftheGATT1994.
9.AgriculturalPolicies
230.TherepresentativeofChinastatedthatsinceChinawasacountrywithavastagriculturalbase,aswellasavastpopulation,agriculturalsecurityandfoodsecurityinparticular,wasanissueofsupremeimportance.Chinabaseditspoliciesondomesticagriculturalsupply,especiallyonbalancedsupplyanddemandofgrains.Meanwhile,Chinaactivelysoughtinternationalresourcesasanecessarysupplement.
231.Whilenotingthisstatement,somemembersoftheWorkingPartyexpressedconcernsaboutChina'slinkageofimportpoliciesforagriculture,includingTRQallocations,todomesticproductionpolicyandthesub-nationalsupplyandutilizationsituation.ThosemembersrequestedthatChinaundertakeanappropriatecommitmenttoeliminatethesepractices.Inresponse,therepresentativeofChinaconfirmedthatChinawouldbaseimportpoliciesforagricultureoncommercialconsiderationsonly.TheWorkingPartytooknoteofthiscommitment.
232.SomemembersoftheWorkingPartyexpressedfurtherconcernsinrelationtoadministrativeguidanceprovidedatthenationalandsub-nationallevelwhichcouldhavetheeffectofinfluencingthequantityandcompositionofagriculturalimports.ThosemembersconsideredreformofthesepracticestowardfullWTOconsistencyasanessentialelementofChina'saccession.Toensureeffectivemarketaccessopportunitieswerecreatedforimportedproducts,somemembersrequestedassurancesfromChinathatagriculturalandtradepolicieswouldnotdiscriminateinaWTOinconsistentmanneragainstimportedproducts.ConsistentwithChina'scommitmenttouniformadministration,therepresentativeofChinaconfirmedthat,bythedateofaccession,Chinawouldnotmaintain,resortorreverttoguidanceplansoradministrativeguidanceatthenationalorsub-nationallevelthatregulatethequantity,qualityortreatmentofimports,orconstituteimportsubstitutionpracticesorothernon-tariffmeasures,includingthosemaintainedthroughstatetradingenterprisesatthenationalorsub-nationallevel.TheWorkingPartytooknoteofthiscommitment.
233.SomemembersoftheWorkingPartyexpressedconcernthatlargestocksinChinaofgrainandcottonhadbeenprocuredatrelativelyhighpricesbystate-tradingenterprisesorotherstate-affiliated,state-run,orstate-controlledentitiesandnotedthatexportsoftheseorothergovernment-purchasedproductsatpriceslowerthanthecomparablepricechargedforthelikeproducttobuyersinthedomesticmarketcouldbechallengedasanexportsubsidyorasinconsistentwithotherWTOobligations.ThesemembersrequestedthatChinaensurethatallentities,includingstatetradingenterprisesandanyotherstate-affiliated,state-run,orstate-controlledentityatthenationalorsub-nationalleveloperatedinaccordancewithChina'sWTOobligations,includingthoseonexportsubsidies.Inresponse,therepresentativeofChinaconfirmedthatallentitiesinChinawouldoperateinaccordancewithChina'sWTOobligations,includingthoseonexportsubsidies.Further,therepresentativeofChinastatedthatnationalandsub-nationalauthoritieswouldnotprovidefundtransfersorotherbenefitstoanyentitiesinChinathatwouldbeinconsistentwithitsWTOobligations,includingtooffsetlossesaccruedthroughexports.TheWorkingPartytooknoteofthesecommitments.
234.TherepresentativeofChinaconfirmedthatbythedateofaccession,Chinawouldnotmaintainorintroduceanyexportsubsidiesonagriculturalproducts.TheWorkingPartytooknoteofthiscommitment.
235.InimplementingArticle6.2and6.4oftheAgreementonAgriculture,therepresentativeofChinaconfirmedthatwhileChinacouldprovidesupportthroughgovernmentmeasuresofthetypesdescribedinArticle6.2,theamountofsuchsupportwouldbeincludedinChina'scalculationofitsAggregateMeasurementofSupport("AMS").HenotedthatChina'sTotalAMSCommitmentLevelwassetforthinPartIV,SectionIofChina'sSchedule.TherepresentativeofChinafurtherconfirmedthatChinawouldhaverecoursetoademinimisexemptionforproduct-specificsupportequivalentto8.5percentofthetotalvalueofproductionofabasicagriculturalproductduringtherelevantyear.TherepresentativeofChinaconfirmedthatChinawouldhaverecoursetoademinimisexemptionfornon-product-specificsupportof8.5percentofthevalueofChina'stotalagriculturalproductionduringtherelevantyear.Accordingly,thesepercentageswouldconstituteChina'sdeminimisexemptionunderArticle6.4oftheAgreementonAgriculture.TheWorkingPartytooknoteofthesecommitments.
236.China'sconcessionsonagriculturaltariffs,andcommitmentsondomesticsupportandonexportsubsidiesforagriculturalproductswerecontainedintheScheduleofConcessionsandCommitmentsonGoodsannexedtotheDraftProtocolasAnnex8.
237.SomemembersoftheWorkingPartynotedthatthedomesticsupporttablesofChinainWT/ACC/CHN/38/Rev.3showedChina'sbasetotalAMSaszeroinDS:4.TheyalsonotedthatproductspecificsupportwasnegativeinDS:5.
238.SomemembersoftheWorkingPartynotedthatalthoughWT/ACC/CHN/38/Rev.3didprovideabasisforsupportingthecommitmentsinChina'sSchedule,thisdocumentstillcontainedissueswhichrequiredfurthermethodologicalclarificationrelatingtopolicyclassification.TherepresentativeofChinaconfirmedthatthisclarificationwouldbeaddressedinthecontextofChina'snotificationobligationsundertheAgreementonAgriculture.TheWorkingPartytooknoteofthiscommitment.
10.TradeinCivilAircraft
239.InresponsetoquestionsfrommembersoftheWorkingParty,therepresentativeofChinaindicatedthatChinawasnotinapositiontocommittojoiningtheAgreementonTradeinCivilAircraftatthepresentstage.
240.TherepresentativeofChinaconfirmedthatChinawouldnotimposeanyprovisionsofoffsetsorotherformsofindustrialcompensationwhenpurchasingcivilaircraft,includingspecifiedtypesorvolumesofbusinessopportunities.TheWorkingPartytooknoteofthiscommitment.
11.Textiles
241.SomemembersoftheWorkingPartyproposedandtherepresentativeofChinaacceptedthatthequantitativerestrictionsmaintainedbyWTOMembersonimportsoftextilesandapparelproductsoriginatinginChinathatwereinforceonthedatepriortothedateofChina'saccessionshouldbenotifiedtotheTextilesMonitoringBody("TMB")asbeingthebaselevelsforthepurposeofapplicationofArticles2and3oftheWTOAgreementonTextilesandClothing("ATC").ForsuchWTOMembers,thephrase"daypriortothedateofentryintoforceoftheWTOAgreement",containedinArticle2.1oftheATC,shouldbedeemedtorefertothedaypriortothedateofChina'saccession.Tothesebaselevels,theincreaseingrowthratesprovidedforinArticles2.13and2.14oftheATCshouldbeapplied,asappropriate,fromthedateofChina'saccession.TheWorkingPartytooknoteofthesecommitments.
242.TherepresentativeofChinaagreedthatthefollowingprovisionswouldapplytotradeintextilesandclothingproductsuntil31December2008andbepartofthetermsandconditionsforChina'saccession:
(a)IntheeventthataWTOMemberbelievedthatimportsofChineseoriginoftextilesandapparelproductscoveredbytheATCasofthedatetheWTOAgreemententeredintoforce,were,duetomarketdisruption,threateningtoimpedetheorderlydevelopmentoftradeintheseproducts,suchMembercouldrequestconsultationswithChinawithaviewtoeasingoravoidingsuchmarketdisruption.TheMemberrequestingconsultationswouldprovideChina,atthetimeoftherequest,withadetailedfactualstatementofreasonsandjustificationsforitsrequestforconsultationswithcurrentdatawhich,intheviewoftherequestingMember,showed:(1)theexistenceorthreatofmarketdisruption;and(2)theroleofproductsofChineseorigininthatdisruption;
(b)Consultationswouldbeheldwithin30daysofreceiptoftherequest.Everyeffortwouldbemadetoreachagreementonamutuallysatisfactorysolutionwithin90daysofthereceiptofsuchrequest,unlessextendedbymutualagreement;
(c)Uponreceiptoftherequestforconsultations,ChinaagreedtoholditsshipmentstotherequestingMemberoftextileortextileproductsinthecategoryorcategoriessubjecttotheseconsultationstoalevelnogreaterthan7.5percent(6percentforwoolproductcategories)abovetheamountenteredduringthefirst12monthsofthemostrecent14monthsprecedingthemonthinwhichtherequestforconsultationswasmade;
(d)Ifnomutuallysatisfactorysolutionwerereachedduringthe90-dayconsultationperiod,consultationswouldcontinueandtheMemberrequestingconsultationscouldcontinuethelimitsundersubparagraph(c)fortextilesortextileproductsinthecategoryorcategoriessubjecttotheseconsultations;
(e)Thetermofanyrestraintlimitestablishedundersubparagraph(d)wouldbeeffectivefortheperiodbeginningonthedateoftherequestforconsultationsandendingon31Decemberoftheyearinwhichconsultationswererequested,orwherethreeorfewermonthsremainedintheyearatthetimeoftherequestforconsultations,fortheperiodending12monthsaftertherequestforconsultations;
(f)Noactiontakenunderthisprovisionwouldremainineffectbeyondoneyear,withoutreapplication,unlessotherwiseagreedbetweentheMemberconcernedandChina;and
(g)MeasurescouldnotbeappliedtothesameproductatthesametimeunderthisprovisionandtheprovisionsofSection16oftheDraftProtocol.
TheWorkingPartytooknoteofthesecommitments.
12.MeasuresMaintainedAgainstChina
243.TherepresentativeofChinastatedthatWTOMembersshouldeliminatealldiscriminatorynon-tariffmeasuresmaintainedagainstChineseexportsfromthedateofChina'saccession.Inresponse,somemembersoftheWorkingPartystatedthat,intheirview,suchmeasuresdidnotneedtobephasedoutuntilsuchtimeasChina'sforeigntraderegimefullyconformedtoWTOobligations.
244.Inlightoftheabove,itwasagreedthatanyprohibitions,quantitativerestrictionsorothermeasuresmaintainedagainstimportsfromChinainamannerinconsistentwiththeWTOAgreementwouldbelistedinAnnex7totheDraftProtocol.Itwasfurtheragreedthatallsuchmeasureswouldbephasedoutorotherwisedealtwithinaccordancewithmutuallyagreedtermsandtimetablesasspecifiedinsaidannex.
13.TransitionalSafeguards
245.Withrespecttoimplementationoftheproduct-specificsafeguard,therepresentativeofChinaexpressedparticularconcernthatWTOMembersprovidedueprocessanduseobjectivecriteriaindeterminingtheexistenceofmarketdisruptionortradediversion,becauseWTOMembersdidnothavewideexperienceinimplementingtheprovisionsofSection16oftheDraftProtocol.Hestatedthatwithrespecttotradediversion,WTOMembersneededtoapplyobjectivecriteriatodeterminewhetheranactionbyChinaoranotherWTOMemberundertheproduct-specificsafeguardtopreventorremedymarketdisruptioncausedorthreatenedtocausesignificantdiversionoftrade.SuchcriteriashouldincludetheactualorimminentincreaseinmarketshareorvolumeofimportsfromChina,thenatureorextentoftheactiontakenbyChinaortheotherWTOMemberandothersimilarcriteria.Inaddition,WTOMembersshouldprovideanopportunityforimporters,exportersandallinterestedpartiestosubmittheirviewsonthematter.
246.MembersoftheWorkingPartynotedthattheDraftProtocolincludedspecificrequirementsthatWTOMembersneededtofollowinconnectionwithanactionunderthatSection.MembersoftheWorkingPartyconfirmedthatinimplementingtheprovisionsonmarketdisruption,WTOMemberswouldcomplywiththoseprovisionsandthefollowing:
(a)AnactiontoaddressmarketdisruptionwouldbetakenonlyafteraninvestigationbythecompetentauthoritiesoftheimportingWTOMemberpursuanttoprocedurespreviouslyestablishedandmadeavailabletothepublic;
(b)ThecompetentauthorityoftheimportingMemberwouldpublishnoticeofthecommencementofanyinvestigationundertheproduct-specificsafeguardprovisionsoftheDraftProtocolandwould,withinareasonabletimethereafter,holdapublichearingorprovideotherappropriatemeansforthepurposeofpermittinginterestedpartiestopresentevidenceandtheirviewsastotheappropriatenessofwhetherornottotakeameasureandtorespondtothepresentationsofotherparties;
(c)Indeterminingwhethermarketdisruptionexisted,includingthecausallinkbetweenimportswhichwereincreasingrapidly,eitherabsolutelyorrelatively,andanymaterialinjuryorthreatofmaterialinjurytothedomesticindustry,thecompetentauthoritieswouldconsiderobjectivefactors,including(1)thevolumeofimportsoftheproductwhichwasthesubjectoftheinvestigation;(2)theeffectofimportsofsuchproductonpricesintheimportingWTOMember'smarketforthelikeordirectlycompetitiveproducts;(3)theeffectofimportsofsuchproductonthedomesticindustryproducinglikeordirectlycompetitiveproducts;
(d)Thecompetentauthoritieswouldpublishanymeasureproposedtobetakenandprovidetheopportunity,includingapublichearing,ifrequested,orprovideotherappropriatemeans,forimporters,exportersandotherinterestedpartiestosubmittheirviewsandevidenceontheappropriatenessoftheproposedmeasureandwhetheritwouldbeinthepublicinterest;
(e)Thecompetentauthoritywouldpromptlypublishnoticeofthedecisiontoapplyameasure,includinganexplanationofthebasisforthedecisionandthescopeanddurationofthemeasure;
(f)Theperiodofapplicationofthemeasurecouldbeextended,providedthatthecompetentauthoritiesoftheimportingWTOMemberhaddeterminedthatactioncontinuedtobenecessarytopreventorremedymarketdisruption.ThecompetentauthoritiesoftheimportingWTOMemberwouldpublishnoticeofthecommencementofanyproceedingtoconsiderwhethertoextendthedurationofanactionandwould,withinareasonabletimethereafter,holdapublichearingorprovideotherappropriatemeansforthepurposeofpermittingallinterestedpartiestohaveanopportunitytopresentevidenceortheirviewsandtorespondtothepresentationsofotherparties;
(g)Exceptforgoodcause,noinvestigationunderSection16oftheProtocolonthesamesubjectmattercouldbeinitiatedlessthanoneyearafterthecompletionofapreviousinvestigation;and
(h)AWTOMemberwouldapplyameasureonlyforsuchperiodoftimeaswasnecessarytopreventorremedymarketdisruption.
247.TradediversionreferredtoanincreaseinimportsfromChinaofaproductintoaWTOMemberastheresultofanactionbyChinaorotherWTOMemberspursuanttoparagraphs2,3or7ofSection16oftheDraftProtocol.MembersoftheWorkingPartyalsonotedthattheDraftProtocolrequiredadeterminationthatanytradediversionwassignificantandthattheactiontakentoaddressmarketdisruptionhadcausedorthreatenedtocausethediversion.
248.MembersoftheWorkingPartyagreedthatobjectivecriteriahadtobeappliedindeterminingwhetheractionstopreventorremedymarketdisruptioncausedorthreatenedtocausesignificantdiversionoftrade.Amongthefactorstobeexaminedwere:
(a)theactualorimminentincreaseinmarketshareofimportsfromChinaintheimportingWTOMember;
(b)thenatureorextentoftheactiontakenorproposedbyChinaorotherWTOMembers;
(c)theactualorimminentincreaseinthevolumeofimportsfromChinaduetotheactiontakenorproposed;
(d)conditionsofdemandandsupplyintheimportingWTOMember'smarketfortheproductsatissue;and
(e)theextentofexportsfromChinatotheWTOMember(s)applyingameasurepursuanttoparagraphs2,3or7ofSection16oftheDraftProtocolandtotheimportingWTOMember.
249.Ameasuretakentoaddresssignificantdiversionsoftradewouldbeterminatednotlaterthan30daysaftertheexpirationoftheactiontakenbytheWTOMemberorMembersinvolvedagainstimportsfromChina.
250.IftheWTOMemberorMemberstakinganactiontoaddressmarketdisruptionnotifiedtheWTOCommitteeonSafeguardsofanymodificationofanaction,thecompetentauthoritiesoftheWTOMemberaddressingtradediversionwoulddeterminewhetherasignificantdiversionoftradecontinuedtoexistanddeterminewhethertomodify,withdraworkeepinplacetheactiontaken.
V.TRADE-RELATEDINTELLECTUALPROPERTYREGIME
A.GENERAL
1.Overview
251.TherepresentativeofChinastatedthatChinahadmadetheprotectionofintellectualpropertyrights("IPRs")anessentialcomponentofitsreformandopening-uppolicyandsocialistlegalconstruction.Theformulationoflawsandregulationsinthisfieldcouldbetracedbacktothelate1970s.Sincethen,Chinahadjoinedrelevantinternationalconventionsandhadactivelyparticipatedintheactivitiessponsoredbyrelevantinternationalorganizations.IthadintensifieditsexchangesandcooperationwithcountriesthroughouttheworldinthefieldofIPRprotection.Asaresult,notwithstandingtheinitialstageofitsdevelopment,China'sIPRprotectionsystemaimedatachievingworlddimensionandworldstandards.ListsofadministrativerulesconcerningintellectualpropertyrightscurrentlyinforceinChinawerepresentedbelowinTableA.ThestatusofongoingreformsandotherrelevantinformationwaspresentedinTableBinthefollowingparagraph.Otherlaws,regulationsandmeasuresrelatingtotheimplementationoftheTRIPSAgreementhadbeenorwouldbenotifiedtotheWTOandwouldbemadeavailableuponrequest.
（略表1）
252.TherepresentativeofChinastatedthatforaccessiontotheWTOAgreementandcompliancewiththeTRIPSAgreement,furtheramendmentshadbeenmadetothePatentLaw.TheamendmentstotheCopyrightLawandtheTrademarkLaw,aswellasrelevantimplementingrulescoveringdifferentareasoftheTRIPSAgreement,wouldalsobeaccomplisheduponChina'saccession.TherepresentativeofChinastatedthatlawsadoptedbytheNationalPeople'sCongressandadministrativeregulations,includingimplementingrules,issuedbytheStateCouncilwereappliedandenforcedbythepeople'scourts.TheWorkingPartytooknoteofthesecommitments.
（略表2）
2.Responsibleagenciesforpolicyformulationandimplementation
253.TherepresentativeofChinastatedthat,atpresent,differentagencieswereresponsibleforIPRpolicyformulationandimplementation.TheStateIntellectualPropertyOffice("SIPO")wasresponsibleforpatentapproval;theTrademarksOfficeundertheStateAdministrationforIndustryandCommerce("SAIC")wasresponsiblefortrademarksregistration;theCopyrightOfficewasresponsibleforcopyrightpolicymaking;SAICwasresponsibleforanti-unfaircompetition,includingtheprotectionoftradesecrets;theStateDrugAdministration("SDA")wasresponsibleforadministrativeprotectionofpharmaceuticals;theGeneralCustomsAdministrationwasresponsibleforbordermeasures;theMinistryofAgricultureandtheStateAdministrationofForestrywereresponsibleforprotectionofplantvarieties;theMinistryofInformationIndustrywasresponsiblefortheprotectionoflayoutdesignsofintegratedcircuits;andtheStateGeneralAdministrationofthePeople'sRepublicofChinaforQualitySupervisionandInspectionandQuarantineandSAICwereresponsibleforcombatingcounterfeitingactivities.Otheragenciesliketheagencyforpressandpublications,thepeople'scourtsandpolicewerealsoinvolvedintheprotectionofIPRinChina.
3.Participationininternationalintellectualpropertyagreements
254.TherepresentativeofChinastatedthatChinabecameamemberoftheWorldIntellectualPropertyOrganizationin1980.In1985,ChinabecameamemberoftheParisConventionfortheProtectionofIndustrialProperty.ChinawasoneofthefirstcountriesthatsignedtheTreatyonIntellectualPropertyinRespectofIntegratedCircuits,thenegotiationofwhichwasconcludedin1989.In1989,ChinabecameamemberoftheMadridAgreementConcerningtheInternationalRegistrationofMarksandin1992,ChinabecameamemberoftheBerneConventionfortheProtectionofLiteraryandArtisticWorks.In1993,ChinabecameamemberoftheConventionfortheProtectionofProducersofPhonogramsAgainstUnauthorizedDuplicationofTheirPhonograms.In1994,ChinabecameamemberofthePatentCooperationTreatyandamemberoftheNiceAgreementConcerningtheInternationalClassificationofGoodsandServicesforthePurposesoftheRegistrationofMarks.In1995,ChinabecameamemberoftheBudapestTreatyontheInternationalRecognitionoftheDepositofMicroorganismsforthePurposesofPatentProcedureandappliedformembershipintheProtocolsoftheMadridAgreementConcerningtheInternationalRegistrationofMarks.In1996,ChinabecameamemberoftheLocarnoAgreementonEstablishinganInternationalClassificationforIndustrialDesigns;andin1997,ChinabecameamemberoftheStrasbourgAgreementConcerningtheInternationalPatentClassification.Besidestheaboveefforts,ChinaparticipatedintheTRIPSnegotiationsduringtheUruguayRoundandinitialledtheFinalAct.
4.ApplicationofnationalandMFNtreatmenttoforeignnationals
255.SomemembersoftheWorkingPartyexpressedconcernthatcertainprovisionsofChina'scopyrightandtrademarklaws,aswellasChina'sRulesonBanningtheInfringementofBusinessSecrets(23November1995)didnotprovidenationaltreatmenttoforeignright-holders.TheRulesonBanningInfringementsofBusinessSecrets,forexample,definedthe"owner"ofatradesecretasa"citizen,corporation,andotherorganization"anddidnotexplicitlyprovideprotectionforforeignindividualsororganizations.SomemembersoftheWorkingPartyfurtherstatedthatnationaltreatmentshouldbefullyapplied,sothatcopyrightenforcementactionbylocalcopyrightbureauxinvolvingforeignright-holders,wouldnolongerrequireclearancebytheNationalCopyrightAdministrationinBeijing.
256.TherepresentativeofChinarespondedthatChina'sIPRlawsprovidedthatanyforeignerwouldbetreatedinaccordancewithanyagreementconcludedbetweentheforeigncountryandChina,orinaccordancewithanyinternationaltreatytowhichbothcountrieswereparty,oronthebasisoftheprincipleofreciprocity.TherepresentativeofChinafurtherconfirmedthatChinawouldmodifyrelevantlaws,regulationsandothermeasuressoastoensurenationalandMFNtreatmenttoforeignright-holdersregardingallintellectualpropertyrightsacrosstheboardincompliancewiththeTRIPSAgreement.Thiswouldincludeadjustmentsoftheclearancerequirementmentionedinthepreviousparagraphtoensurenationaltreatment.TheWorkingPartytooknoteofthesecommitments.
B.SUBSTANTIVESTANDARDSOFPROTECTION,INCLUDINGPROCEDURESFORTHEACQUISITIONANDMAINTENANCEOFINTELLECTUALPROPERTYRIGHTS
1.Copyrightprotection
257.TherepresentativeofChinastatedthattheCopyrightLaw,whichwaspromulgatedin1990,establishedthebasiccopyrightprotectionsysteminChinatogetherwiththeImplementingRulesoftheCopyrightLaw(30May1991),theProvisionsontheImplementationoftheInternationalCopyrightTreaty(25September1992)andotherrelatedlawsandregulations.Inprinciple,thissystemwasincompliancewiththeinternationalIPRtreatiesandpractices.Fortheprotectionofcopyrightandneighbouringrights,notonlycivilandcriminalliabilitiesbutalsoadministrativeliabilities,wereprovidedforinthissystem.Hencetheinfringingactivitiescouldbecurbedinatimelyandeffectivemannerandthelegitimaterightsoftheright-holderscouldbeprotected.
258.SomemembersoftheWorkingPartyexpressedconcernsabouttheconsistencyofChina'scurrentlawontheprotectionofcopyrightandrelatedrightswiththeTRIPSAgreement.Inparticular,membersnotedtheneedtoclarifytherightsofperformersandproducerstobringthemintoconformitywiththerequirementsofArticle14oftheTRIPSAgreement.Inaddition,improvementswereneededwithrespecttoenforcementofcopyrighttoprovideexpresslyforprovisionalmeasurestopreserveevidence,includingdocumentaryevidenceandforremediessufficienttodeterfurtherinfringements.
259.TherepresentativeofChinarespondedthat,realizingthatthereweresomeexistingdifferencesbetweenChina'scopyrightlawsandtheTRIPSAgreement,theamendmenttotheCopyrightLawhadbeenaccelerated.Theproposedamendmentswouldclarifythepaymentsystembybroadcastingorganizationswhichusetherecordingproductsandalsoincludethefollowingprovisions:rentalrightsinrespectofcomputerprogramsandmovies,mechanicalperformancerights,rightsofcommunicationtothepublicandrelatedprotectionmeasures,protectionofdatabasecompilations,provisionalmeasures,increasingthelegitimatecompensationamountandstrengtheningthemeasuresagainstinfringingactivities.China'scopyrightregimeincludingRegulationsfortheImplementationoftheCopyrightLawandtheProvisionsontheImplementationoftheInternationalCopyrightTreatywouldbeamendedsoastoensurefullconsistencywithChina'sobligationsundertheTRIPSAgreement.TheWorkingPartytooknoteofthesecommitments.
2.Trademarks,includingservicemarks
260.TherepresentativeofChinastatedthattheTrademarkLaw,itsimplementingrulesandotherrelevantlaws,administrativeregulationsanddepartmentrulesconstitutedtheexistingtrademarklegalsysteminChina.Theobjectiveoftheselawswastoprovideprotectiontoright-holdersinlinewiththeinternationalconventionsandprevailingpracticesregardingintellectualpropertyrights,whichwasembodiedbothintheregulationsonthesubstanceandproceduresfortrademarkregistrationandintheprotectionoftrademarkexclusiverights.Inordertoprotectthetrademarkowner'sexclusiverights,China'sTrademarkLawcontainednotonlycivilandcriminalliabilitiesbutalsoprovidedforadministrativepunishmentoftrademarkinfringers.This"double-tracksystem"fortheprotectionofexclusiverightsintrademarkscouldpreventtrademarkinfringementsinatimelyandeffectivemannerandprotectthelegitimaterightsandinterestsoftheseexclusiverights.Inrecentyears,China'sjudicialandadministrativebodieshadsteppeduptheireffortstoprotecttrademarkexclusiverightswithintheirrespectiveauthority.Theyhadsettledalargenumberofcasesthatwereinfluential,domesticallyandabroad,whichprovidedadequateprotectiontothelegitimaterightsandinterestsofbothChineseandforeignholdersofexclusiverightsintrademarks,andreceivedapositiveresponsefromdomesticandforeignright-holders.
261.SomemembersoftheWorkingPartyreiteratedtheirconcernsaboutwhethercertainprovisionsofChina'strademarklawprovidednationaltreatmenttoforeignownersoftrademarks.TheynotedthatChina'slawrequiredforeignownersoftrademarkstousedesignatedtrademarkagents,whileChinesenationalswerepermittedtofiledirectlywithChina'sTrademarkOffice.MembersalsonotedthatChina'strademarklawdidnotconsidercertainsignsaseligibleforprotectionasrequiredundertheTRIPSAgreement.Theseincludednames,letters,numeralsandcolourscapableofdistinguishinggoodsandservices.Inaddition,ifregistrabilityofatrademarkdependsonuse,China'strademarklawshouldprovidethatanon-distinctivemarkcouldqualifyforregistrationwhenithasacquireddistinctivenessbasedonuse.MembersalsonotedthatitwasnotclearunderChina'slawthatactualuseofamarkwasnotrequiredbeforeapartycouldfiletoregisteramark.
262.SomemembersoftheWorkingPartyalsoraisedconcernsabouttheprotectionofwell-knowntrademarksinChina,inparticularthosenotregisteredinChina.China'slawsandregulationsdidnotspecificallystatethecriteriafordeterminingwhetheramarkwaswell-knownandthereforememberscouldnotdetermineifitconformedtotherequirementsofArticle16oftheTRIPSAgreement.Moreover,whileChinahadprovidedprotectionto"well-knowntrademarks"ownedbynationals,suchprotectionhad,asyet,notbeengrantedtothewell-knowntrademarksofforeigners.MembersalsonotedthatcertainprovisionsofChina'strademarklawneededtobeextendedtounregisteredwell-knowntrademarks.
263.TherepresentativeofChinastatedthatwiththedevelopmentofChina'smarketeconomyandthefurtherimplementationoftheTRIPSAgreement,China'slegislativeandlawenforcementbodieshadalsorealizedthattheexistingtrademarklawfellsomewhatshortoffulfillingtherequirementsoftheTRIPSAgreementandtheParisConventioninafewaspectsandwerethereforepreparingtoamendtheexistingtrademarklawtofullymeettherequirementsoftheTRIPSAgreement.Modificationswouldmainlybemadetothefollowingaspects:toincludethetrademarkregistrationofthree-dimensionalsymbols,combinationsofcolours,alphabetsandfigures;toaddthecontentofcollectivetrademarkandcertificationtrademark(includinggeographicalindications);tointroduceofficialsymbolprotection;toprotectwell-knowntrademarks;toincludepriorityrights;tomodifytheexistingtrademarkrightconfirmationsystemandofferinterestedpartiestheopportunityforjudicialreviewconcerningtheconfirmationoftrademarkrights;tocrackdownonallseriousinfringements;andtoimprovethesystemforprovidingdamagesfortrademarkinfringement.TheWorkingPartytooknoteofthesecommitments.
3.Geographicalindications,includingappellationsoforigin
264.TherepresentativeofChinastatedthattherelevantrulesoftheSAICandtheStateGeneralAdministrationofthePeople'sRepublicofChinaforQualitySupervisionandInspectionandQuarantinepartlyprovidedprotectionforgeographicalindications,includingappellationsoforigin,andthattheamendmentstothetrademarklawwouldhaveaspecificprovisionontheprotectionofgeographicalindications.
265.MembersoftheWorkingPartytooknoteoftheprogressachievedonprovidingprotectionforgeographicalindicationsandreiteratedtheimportanceofChina'slegislationcomplyingwiththeobligationsundertheTRIPSAgreement(Articles22,23and24).TherepresentativeofChinasharedthisassessmentandreiteratedChina'sintentiontofullycomplywithrelevantarticlesintheTRIPSAgreementongeographicalindications.TheWorkingPartytooknoteofthiscommitment.
