Director General Francis Gurry of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) spoke highly of China’s achievements on intellectual property protection after the United Nations agency opened an office in Beijing. In a meeting with Premier Li Keqiang, WIPO said China’s “remarkable” progress in IP protection has helped transform and advance China’s economy and has been a boon to global economic growth. Li told Gurry the Chinese government is trying to help scientists and high-tech talent by reforming their rights to benefit from their research. He said China expects to enhance cooperation with WIPO to further develop international intellectual property rules. The ceremony at WIPO’s office was attended by a group of high-ranking Chinese officials, including Beijing Mayor Wang Anshun, Director of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce Zhang Mao and Shen Changyu, Commissioner of the State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO). The Beijing office is WIPO’s fifth overseas following those in Brazil, Japan, Singapore and Russia. Established in 1967, the Geneva-based agency has 187 member states. China joined the organization in 1980.