BEIJING – China on Wednesday reaffirmed its commitment to protecting intellectual property rights (IPRs) after the European Union appealed a World Trade Organization panel report under the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA).

China welcomes the WTO panel's support for its position in the dispute, an official from the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement, adding that the country has long prioritized IPR protection and made notable progress.

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China has received the EU's appeal request and will handle it in accordance with MPIA rules to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests, said the official.

The MPIA plays a key role in maintaining the stability and predictability of the multilateral trading system, the official noted.

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China will continue to work with other MPIA participants to ensure its effective implementation and uphold the rule-based multilateral trading system, added the official.