IN BRIEF (Page 3)

Trademarks

Call to protect trademarks abroad

Domestic companies should be encouraged to better protect their brands overseas and fight against malicious registration of their time-honored trademarks, according to a senior judge and experts.

"(Some overseas companies or individuals) make use of foreign laws to maliciously register well-known Chinese trademarks in foreign countries," said Lang Guimei, a senior judge from the intellectual property tribunal under the Supreme People's Court. "We should be more aware of that."

Figures from the State Administration for Industry and Commerce show that more than 2,000 such cases occurred between 1980 and 2009, causing an estimated annual economic loss of 1 billion yuan ($163 million; 125 million euros).

The administration estimated that about 15 percent of time-honored Chinese brands have been maliciously registered overseas, according to an article on its website earlier this year.

With more Chinese companies going global in recent years, conflicts are becoming fiercer. "The priority (of these companies) is to apply and register their trademarks overseas as soon as possible to prevent infringement," said Lang.

Food Safety

HK to lift controls on baby formula: Expert

A dairy industry expert said on July 14 that Hong Kong is likely to lift its restrictions on baby formula taking out of the Special Administrative Region in October.

Wang Dingmian, former vice-chairman of the Guangdong Dairy Industry Association, said lifting the ban is in the interests of both Hong Kong retailers and Chinese mainland residents.

"Hong Kong probably will lift the restrictions soon, and one of the major reasons is that the ban has triggered concern from the mainland that it is a form of discrimination," Wang said.

Ko Wing-man, Hong Kong's secretary for food and health, said the government will determine in October whether milk suppliers can ensure an adequate supply for Hong Kong residents.

Ko was quoted by Xinhua News Agency as saying that if milk suppliers can show they can meet the city's need, the Hong Kong government will abolish the restriction on milk powder purchases.

The restriction, which went into effect on March 1, bans people 16 and older from carrying more than two cans of infant milk formula, or 1.8 kilograms in total, out of Hong Kong without prior approval.

Investment

Key investment talks to restart

Beijing and Washington agreed on July 11 to restart stalled negotiations on an investment treaty, a move hailed as a significant breakthrough from the annual Strategic and Economic Dialogue.

Observers said the agreement comes as China shows a willingness to open up more sectors to foreign competition and the US shows its commitment to treat Chinese enterprises fairly.

Such efforts will bring tangible benefits to the people of both countries, they said.

According to a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry after the S&ED ended in Washington, the two sides agreed to begin "substantive negotiations" on a bilateral investment treaty.

The statement said the US pledged to welcome Chinese investment and to treat it equally and fairly, including investment from State-owned enterprises.

"China announced its intention to negotiate a high-standard bilateral investment treaty with us that will include all stages of investment and all sectors - a significant breakthrough, and the first time China has agreed to do so with another country," US Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew said.

Entertainment

Feng to direct CCTV annual gala showpiece

China Central Television has, for the first time in 30 years, invited a film director to run its showpiece gala, which attracts more than 700 million viewers.

The broadcaster announced in Beijing on July 12 that director and frequent box office champion Feng Xiaogang will direct its Spring Festival Gala 2014.

The gala, launched in 1983, is an annual variety show aired on the eve of the Spring Festival.

Watching the show has become a key part of the Lunar New Year celebrations for many, as important to them as eating dumplings and letting off firecrackers.

Statistics from research agency CSM show that last year's gala attracted 750 million viewers.

"The move fully demonstrates CCTV's determination and efforts to open its door to talent from different social backgrounds, to continue innovation and to live up to audiences' expectations," CCTV head Hu Zhanfan said.

Lifestyle

Rise in number of abortions: Study

Growing instances of disease, unwanted pregnancies and repeated abortions are the consequences of greater sexual activity among girls and young women who are paying less attention to safe sex, experts said.

About 16 percent of university students have had premarital sex, according to a study released on July 11, World Population Day.

More young women are turning to abortion, Shanghai's Institute of Family Planning Technique Guidance revealed.

More than 30 percent of women opting for abortions in the city were unmarried. And more than 60 percent of abortions were because women did not use protection.

The younger they are, the less likely they are to take precautions.

Information

China issues timetable for govt info

The State Council issued a timetable on July 10 for disclosing government spending on receptions, vehicles and overseas trips, as well as information on investigations into major accidents.

The timetable was included in a State Council document that orders all localities and government departments to put promoting transparency high on their agendas, in a bid to enhance government credibility.

According to the document, provincial governments should disclose their spending on receptions, vehicles and overseas trips starting from 2013, and municipal and county governments should strive to disclose such information by 2015.

Government spending in these areas has long been the center of public concern over the misuse of public funds.

Tourism

Beijing, Macao focus on tourism, trade services

Emerging enterprises in cultural and creative industries and trade services show promising potential for cooperation between Beijing and Macao.

This was the message from the Second Beijing Macao Cooperation and Exchange Symposium, which started on July 10 in the special administrative region. Companies from Beijing and Macao signed 11 contracts worth 4.14 billion yuan ($674.8 million; 515.3 million euros) at the event this year, an increase of more than 60 percent over last year's event.

Macao Chief Executive Chui Sai-on said at the opening ceremony that Macao will build itself into a world tourism and leisure center, as well as a regional business and trade service platform for Portuguese-speaking countries.

Beijing Mayor Wang Anshun said the capital city "would like to use the platform of Macao and extend its influences to Portuguese-speaking countries and regions".

He added that Beijing will promote economic and trade cooperation with Macao.

China Daily

(China Daily Africa Weekly 07/19/2013 page3)