China published a newly-written statute on patents for defense-related technology Saturday, as part of the governments commitment to step up protection of intellectual rights in this field.

The new Statute on Defense Patents was jointly signed by Premier Wen Jiabao and Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China Jiang Zemin on Sept. 17.

The new provisions will go into force on November 1, replacing the existing Statute on Defense Patents, enacted on July 30, 1990.

The new statute includes five articles and 36 clauses covering all issues involving the application, examination and approval of defense patents.

One of the main differences in the new law is that special agencies will now be designated to help with the application for defense-related patents.

(Xinhua News Agency October 10, 2004)