On June 19, Zhou Huilin, Vice Minister of State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of the People’s Republic of China (SAPPRFT) and Vice Minister of National Copyright Administration of the People’s Republic of China (NCAC), met with the delegation led by Sylvie Forbin, Deputy Director General of World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) invited to attend the International Forum on Copyright: Protecting the Rights of Creators and Promoting the Development of Culture and Film Industry held in Shanghai. The two sides exchanged views on accelerating the implementation of Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances, enhancing cooperation in copyright protection under the framework of “Belt and Road” Initiative, etc.

Zhou Huilin briefed the progress of law enforcement inspection concerning the Copyright Law of the People’s Republic of China carried out by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. At present, five task forces have been set up for comprehensive inspection on the implementation of the Copyright Law in Qinghai, Guangdong, Fujian, Beijing and Shanghai, which indicates that the supreme authority of China attaches great importance to the implementation and accelerated amendment of the Copyright Law.

Zhou Huilin stressed that NCAC and WIPO have maintained close cooperation. He invited Sylvie Forbin to China for more field researches, to know more about the development of China’s copyright industry, especially the exploration and practice in online copyright protection, as well as the typical copyright protection cases investigated under the framework of “Belt and Road” Initiative. Zhou Huilin said: “I hope that WIPO can continue to support China’s efforts in copyright protection, and maintain friendly, efficient and positive cooperation with China, to consolidate the cooperation achievements made by the two sides.”

Sylvie Forbin said that WIPO attaches great importance to this issue, and is working closely with China in the field of copyright protection. She indicated that, since she had taken up her duties as deputy director general 9 months earlier, she has visited Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and other cities in China. During these visits, she has learned about the business models of Tencent and other Internet giants in China, and gained a clear picture of the achievements made by China in copyright protection. She hoped that WIPO can maintain close ties with NCAC and jointly polish up the international copyright system.

On the morning, Zhou Huilin, together with Yu Cike, Director General of Copyright Department of NCAC, Tang Zhaozhi, Vice Director General of Copyright Department of NCAC, Gao Hang, Director General of WIPO Copyright Development Department, Chen Hongbing, Director of WIPO China Office,also met with Michael Ellis, President of Asia-Pacific Region for Motion Picture Association of America, Wu Mingshu, President Asia-Pacific Region for International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers, and senior representatives from Mexico, Mali, Colombia, Kenya and Ghana.

Author/Photo：Lai Mingfang

Update：June 21, 2017