China proposed on Monday to organize next year a symposium on intellectual property with participation of experts from all 21 members of Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

The Chinese proposal was received with applause from all APEC delegates at the on-going Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) of APEC held in Santiago, Mario Matus, Chile's representative of the SOM, told a news briefing.

Matus said the decision by the Chinese government shows its interest in advancing the intellectual property issue, which was included in the WTO general agreement 10 years ago, but has failed to get approval from many WTO members.

He said the Chinese initiative is "very important" because it provides a chance for APEC members to share information and experience on the issue.

Matus said that it was agreed at Monday's meeting that the ministerial statement and leaders' declaration would include a message that APEC supports the WTO negotiations in Geneva. The meeting also approved the inclusion of the discussion on the free trade agreement in the APEC agenda next year.

(Xinhua News Agency November 16, 2004)