The State Council, or cabinet, on Wednesday approved new guidelines to promote innovation and the use of new technologies by China's industries.

The guidelines on the national strategy of intellectual property rights,drafted by the State Intellectual Property Office and other relevant government departments, were approved at an executive meeting of the State Council presided over by Premier Wen Jiabao.

According to a statement from the meeting, the strategy would exert greater efforts to crack down on the infringement of intellectual property rights, safeguard market order and the legal rights of the public, strengthen international cooperation and adherence to international practice, and make concerted efforts to raise awareness of intellectual property issues among the public.

It pointed out that intellectual property rights had been a focus for international economic competition and competition among enterprises.

The implementation of the national intellectual property rights strategy was a major event that had a strong bearing on the future of the nation and the people, it said.

The State Council vowed to make efforts to perfect the country's intellectual property system, encourage creative activity and stimulate innovation.

Efforts would be made to encourage and support enterprises to create and use intellectual property, said the statement.

In recent years, the government has launched a series of campaigns to crack down on crimes related to the infringement of copyrights, trademarks and patent rights.

The guidelines began to be mapped out in July, 2005. Tian Lipu, head of the State Intellectual Property Office, said in January that the guidelines were vital to fully implementing the country's intellectual property rights system and to promote the development of economy and science.

Organizations for guiding the implementation of the guidelines were set up in 17 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. Guangdong, Guizhou, Shandong and Shanghai have already issued their own strategies, he said.

The government would set up about 40 service centers for IPR protection. The centers would provide consultation and financial support for those unable to afford to pursue cases, said Tian.

(Xinhua News Agency April 10, 2008)