Embassy of the United States

Ambassador Huntsman Discusses Intellectual Property Rights in Shenzhen

GUANGZHOU, June 24, 2010 - U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman visited Shenzhen June 22-23 to discuss innovation and intellectual property rights (IPR) with Chinese and American stakeholders in Shenzhen.  Ambassador Huntsman was accompanied by U.S. Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)  Sharon Barner; Consul General Brian L. Goldbeck; Minister-Counselor for Economic Affairs Bill Weinstein; and U.S. officials from Washington, D.C., U.S. Embassy Beijing, and U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou.

Attending the U.S.-Shenzhen Innovation and Intellectual Property Forum the morning of June 23, Ambassador Huntsman that “Everyone here shares the same goal of improving the environment in Shenzhen for innovation, so all companies can create new products, technologies and ideas to make our lives better.”  The Forum themes focused on “Nurturing a City of Innovation and IPR Protection,” and “Creating an Innovative Company that Respects IPR.”  In press opportunities during the event, the Ambassador thanked Shenzhen for its support for IPR, reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to facilitate China/U.S. trade and exchange, and applauded China's goals to implement green, energy-efficient technology.  The Ambassador Huntsman also recalled that thirty years ago, at the time when the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone was established, U.S.-China trade was at a very small level.  Today, trade has blossomed to hundreds of billions of dollars a year and is a key component in furthering our two countries’ economic development and prosperity.

Among other important events during his visit, Ambassador Huntsman met and exchanged views with Mayor Xu Qin at the Wuzhou Guest House June 22.  Later he met with business leaders to review their perspectives on IPR, regulations, finances and real estate in Shenzhen.   Other programs in the Ambassador's itinerary: a tour of the Institute for Building Research to learn about innovative Chinese green building designs and energy efficiency, a visit to Measurement Specialties Corporation to exchange views with an American company pursuing innovative high tech electronics in Shenzhen and a speech at the Beijing University School of Transnational Law in Shenzhen, where he answered questions about the importance of innovation, globalization, IPR and rule of law in Chinese society.  The Ambassador, a former Deputy U.S. Trade Representative and state governor, held up the China Clean Energy Research Center as an example of U.S.-Chinese IPR cooperation that raises the quality of people’s lives and helps us address together the 21st-century challenges our countries face.