China points to other gains in hopes of easing US trade ire

China is trying to defuse a spiralling tariff war with Washington over technology policy by highlighting gains in other trade-related areas.

The Cabinet press office invited The Associated Press to interview the head of the country's patent and copyright office, as part of government efforts to persuade Washington and other trading partners to tone down objections to Chinese industry policy.

The official, Shen Changyu, pointed to improvements in fighting violations, previously a target of complaints by the United States, Europe and other traders.

"China's work on intellectual property protection is solid and very productive," said Shen, commissioner of the State Intellectual Property Office.

"This point should be evaluated objectively and fairly by the international community."
Shen cited promises this year by President Xi Jinping and China's No 2 leader, Premier Li Keqiang, to strength enforcement and "make infringers pay a heavy price."
"In the 301 survey, intellectual property was a justification or an excuse," said Shen. "We hope the US government will provide specific infringement cases or clues. We will deal with them seriously and will not tolerate them."