China will step up its fight against intellectual property rights violations and counterfeit goods in accordance with law, Vice-Premier Wang Yang said as he presided over the seventh national meeting of the work’s leading group in Beijing on Nov 25.

Wang said the decision to “comprehensively advance the rule of law” by the 4th Plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee offers significant guidelines on the crackdown on IPR infringements as well as on the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit goods.

The vice-premier called for improving legislation, ensuring aw enforcement and for creating the right social atmosphere to fight against infringements.

Wang praised the significant progress achieved during campaigns in the first three quarters of 2014. From January to September, a total of 130,000 infringement and counterfeit cases were settled, among which charges were laid in 12,200 cases, 11,600 cases were closed, and 15,700 criminals convicted.

Wang pointed out the focus of key areas of the work in the coming months. In his 7-point plan, Wang asked relevant departments to fulfill the 2014 plan objectives; ensure customer safety during the holiday seasons of New Year and Spring Festival; implement special campaigns in both rural areas and rural/urban fringes; increase disclosure of government information of the cases; enforce the use of legal office software; evaluate in detail the 2014 achievements; and set out an action plan for 2015.