For this week, the Fourth Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) of China was held between March 3, 2011 and March 14, 2011. During the Session, China's top legislator Wu Bangguo announced that a socialist system of laws with Chinese characteristics has been established "on schedule" in China. As a long-time legal commentator of CCTV, the national TV station of China, I was invited again by CCTV to talk about Chinese legal issues on March 10, 2011. Having been working in China for over 20 years, I have witnessed the great progress China has made in the building of a new legal system. Should you hope to share my opinions on those issues, please watch the video at http://www.lehmanlaw.com/press-room/articles-presentations.html.

This week also witnessed a powerful 9 magnitude earthquake with a depth of 24.4 km, which struck off the east coast of Honshu, Japan on March 11, 2011 at 14:46 local time. I would like to extend my sympathies and support to the people of Japan and countries around the Pacific Rim while they cope with the destruction caused by this earthquake. I will also stand with those here in China with family and friends affected by these disasters.

China ranks 21st globally in technological innovation and research capability, according to a report recently released by the Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development (CASTED). The report, the first of its kind in China, surveyed the innovation capacity in 40 countries with an edge in technology research. The United States topped the chart with a rating of 100 on the innovation index. China had a score of 57.9. Switzerland, South Korea and Japan ranked second to fourth.

More than 100 people in this eastern metropolis qualified to become patent management engineers in 2010, bringing the total number to 630.
They are mainly responsible for patent retrieval, applications and dispute resolutions, according to local authorities.
The Shanghai intellectual property administration, along with the city's human resources and social security bureau, started the examination in 2006 to include patent management in the professional system.

According to the arrangement of the State Council, Chongqing government paid much attention to operating Shuang Da Special Action and made full use of the medias, like governmental websites, newspapers and TV. The government made efforts in providing an honest social environment to keep laws and protect IPR. Recently, the consul generals of UK and Japanese Consulates in Chongqing visited the office of the Shuang Da Special Action. They highly praised the achievement of this action.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao delivered a government work report at the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) in the Great Hall of the People on March 5. According to Wen, China will firmly implement the national IPR strategy, step up capacity of IPR creation, use, protection and management, and stimulate innovative vitality of the public.