BEIJING - China has slowed cooperation with the United States on fighting product piracy since Washington complained to the World Trade Organization about the problem earlier this year, American officials said last week.
"We've seen increased cooperation in some areas, but we've seen cooperation in other areas slow. We don't think that's the right way forward," said U.S.Undersecretary of Commerce Jon W. Dudas, in Beijing for an American Embassy forum on intellectual property.
The April complaint to the WTO accused Beijing of failing to do enough to stop rampant copying of music, movies and other goods. The complaint added to strain between the two nations over China's swollen trade surplus and recalls and warnings of tainted or faulty Chinese goods.
Since then, China's Commerce Ministry has postponed bilateral anti-piracy events with Washington, saying contacts should go through the WTO, Dudas said.
China's Commerce Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Commerce Minister Bo Xilai previously has said protecting intellectual property is in China's own interest, but he has criticized Washington's decision to file WTO complaints over trade disputes.
Business, Pages 88 on 10/28/2007