Customs should use modern techniques to block the entry and exit of counterfeit and pirated products.

Exhibition venues should prevent people from using the shows to sell or organize the processing of illegal products.

According to a statute enacted on March 1, an office should be set up by exhibition organizers to handle complaints about IPR infringements if an exhibition lasts more than three days.

Organizers and participants engaging in IPR violations will be barred from holding or attending exhibitions again.

Special centres will be set up in 50 cities to handle complaints about IPR issues.

In addition, the country will improve legislation to strike harder at IPR offences.

President Hu Jintao, in a meeting with Bill Gates last week in Redmond, Washington, assured the Microsoft chairman that China is serious about intellectual property rights protection.

"IPR protection is not only needed by China as it opens up more to the outside world and improves the investment environment; it is also needed as we strengthen our innovation ability."

Commerce Minister Bo Xilai said at a recent press conference that at least 300,000 law-enforcers and affiliated officials are involved in IPR protection in China.