China detained almost 60,000 suspects for piracy in 2013
The authorities on the mainland arrested nearly 60,000 for intellectual piracy last year in a sign they are serious about clamping down on the multibillion dollar industry
Chinese police seized almost 60,000 suspects involved in intellectual property infringement cases with a total estimated value of 173 billion yuan (HK$220 billion) last year, state media reported on Tuesday.
More than 90 million tons of counterfeit and substandard goods were confiscated in 2013, and 1,260 criminal networks smashed, the official Xinhua News Agency said, citing Ministry of Public Security official Gao Feng.
Gao also said that during a campaign against the sale of fake drugs online, police seized a record 300 million pills worth 2.2 billion yuan.
China’s rampant piracy and widespread production of bogus goods is a major irritant in its relations with trading partners.
Gao said that Chinese police had co-operated with Interpol, the World Customs Organisation and law enforcement authorities from countries including the United States, Britain and France.