Premier Li Keqiang said that protection of intellectual property rights and the fight against counterfeits concern the building of an innovative nation and people's health and safety.

Premier Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in an instruction on IPR infringement and counterfeits.

In recent years, local governments and related departments made active work on IPR infringement and counterfeits with strict punishment on illegal acts, he said.

These efforts have stimulated vitality of the society in innovation, he noted, adding that more work should be done to deal with remaining problems.

With enhanced coordination and improved laws and regulation, responsibilities should be solidly implemented at all levels to continue campaigns in key areas and links, Premier Li said.

To strengthen IPR protection throughout industrial chains, work should be done to enhance links between administrative law enforcement and justice, and deepen international exchanges and cooperation, he said.

A better job in this regard will help build a market-oriented, law-based, and international business environment, and keep a fair and competitive market order, to inspire vitality of market entities and society creativity and contribute to entrepreneurship, innovation, high-quality development and people's livelihoods, Premier Li noted.

In his address at a national teleconference on IPR infringement and counterfeits on May 21 in Beijing, State Councilor Wang Yong, also head of a leading group on this regard, urged more efforts to crack down on IPR infringement and counterfeits to secure a fair market system and a safe environment for consumption.

Calling for coordination between development and security, and further improvement in working mechanisms, Wang urged more IPR protection and intensified punishment on IPR infringement and counterfeits to meet the requirements and urgent demands in building the new development paradigm and boosting high-quality growth.

All localities and related departments should enhance organization and leadership while fulfilling their responsibilities, improve coordinated moves linking law enforcement and justice, and keep imposing strict penalties on infringement and counterfeits, Wang said.

He also called for solid actions in online consumption, agriculture and rural markets, food, medicine and anti-epidemic material supplies, with strengthened online and offline supervision and law enforcement across departments and regions.

Targeting new features and variations of infringement and counterfeits, Wang urged efforts to innovate supervision, deepen international cooperation, promote society’s joint governance, and improve public awareness in innovation protection and fair competition, to ensure people’s lives, health and safety and boost the high-quality development of the economy and society.