video transcript

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION). Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang has promised Apple CEO Tim Cook that China will boost intellectual property protection. According to state media, Li made the commitment during their meeting in Beijing on Wednesday (March 28). "To be more open to the outside is a condition for China to transform its economic development, expand domestic demands and conduct technological innovation," the official Xinhua news agency quoted the Vice Premier as saying. Xinhua adds Li called on multinational companies to "pay more attention to caring for workers" in China. Li is widely expected to become China's next premier in a leadership transition that begins later this year. According to the state news agency, Cook says Apple will conduct business in a law-abiding and honest manner. China is already Apple's second-biggest market overall, but its growth there is clouded by issues, ranging from a trademark dispute, to its treatment of local labour. Apple is in a long-running dispute with Chinese firm Proview over the iPad name, and is reviewing labour standards at its China-based producers and suppliers after accusations of improper practices. Cook is on his first trip to China since taking over from Steve Jobs in August. His itinerary is closely guarded but has included a visit to one of Apple's two stores in Beijing.