China advances implementation of Marrakesh Treaty for people with print disabilities

BEIJING, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- A meeting to advance the implementation of the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled was convened in Beijing on Friday.

During the meeting organized by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF), cooperation agreements were signed by relevant institutions to advance the treaty's implementation, and a proposal calling on society to remain aware of and support the cause was read.

China will unswervingly fulfill its obligations outlined in the treaty, actively participate in the construction of international governance systems related to the intellectual property rights and well-being of people with disabilities, assist people with disabilities in receiving improved intellectual and cultural services, and strive to promote their all-round development and common prosperity, said Zhang Jianchun, vice head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee.

The CDPF will take the implementation of the treaty as an opportunity to expand the supply of cultural products for people with disabilities and continue to meet their intellectual and cultural demands, said Zhou Changkui, director of the executive council of the CDPF.

The Marrakesh Treaty, which is aimed at eliminating copyright-related obstacles that people with print disabilities face in obtaining works, came into force in China this May.

It was adopted by the World Intellectual Property Organization on June 27, 2013, and effective from Sept. 30, 2016.