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 |  | Hu visits Microsoft, vows better IPR protection (chinadaily.com.cn/agencies)
 Updated: 2006-04-19 10:36
 SEATTLE - Chinese President Hu Jintao, on his way to talks with President 
George W. Bush, on Tuesday met with Bill Gates. The summit with Bush, expected 
to cover trade and moves to avert nuclear advances in North Korea and Iran, was 
also likely to touch on intellectual property.  
 After the meeting 
with Gates, the world's richest man, at Microsoft's headquarters, Hu reiterated 
that China would move against software pirates.
 
 
 
 
 
 |  Chinese President Hu 
 Jintao (R) meets with Microsoft chairman Bill Gates during a meeting at 
 the company's headquarters in Redmond, Washington, April 18, 2006. Hu 
 spent about an hour visiting and viewing some of the new technologies 
 being developed for future homes. 
[Reuters]
 |  At Microsoft Corp.'s campus, Hu 
said Tuesday he admired what Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates had achieved. He also 
sought to reassure Gates that China is serious about protecting intellectual 
property rights.
 
 "Because you, Mr. Bill Gates, are a friend of China, 
I'm a friend of Microsoft," Hu said through a translator.
 
 "Also, I am 
dealing with the operating system produced by Microsoft every day," he added, to 
laughter.
 
 Gates responded: "Thank you, it's a fantastic relationship," 
and then said: "And if you ever need advice on how to use Windows, I'll be glad 
to help."
 
 "China is focused on and has already accomplished much in 
creating and enforcing laws to protect intellectual property," he said. "We take 
our promises very seriously."
 
 "Regarding intellectual property rights 
protection, it's not only needed by China as it expands its opening to the 
outside world, and improves the investment environment, it is also needed as we 
strengthen our innovation ability," Hu said.
 
 Hu also said he would 
certainly welcome a further increase in Microsoft's investment in China.
 "I'd also like to take this opportunity to assure you, Bill Gates, that we 
will certainly honor our words in protecting intellectual property rights," Hu 
said. 
 In his whirlwind visit to the Microsoft campus, Hu, accompanied by 
Gates, company CEO Steve Ballmer and an entourage of Chinese dignitaries, saw 
some business technology demonstrations and toured Microsoft's Home of the 
Future, which features experimental technology that might someday be used in 
people's living spaces.
 In one demonstration, a vase outfitted with 
special technology, called a radio frequency identification tag, prompted 
screens on a display case to show pictures of areas where Hu has worked and 
lived.
 
 In the kitchen, the counter displayed a recipe and instructions 
in Chinese for making focaccia bread, prompting Hu to ask if you still need a 
housekeeper if you have such advanced technology.
 
 
 
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