During meetings with U.S. trade representatives in Washington, D.C., last week, Chinese government officials committed to increasing protections for intellectual property in their country.

China will conduct seven special enforcement operations against intellectual property pirates this year, Vice Premier Wu Yi said at a press conference after talks between members of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade. The Chinese government will open infringement-reporting centers in 50 cities, she said.

In addition, Wu said that China will accelerate the transfer of piracy cases from administrative to criminal enforcement bodies. That would address complaints by U.S. software vendors that China doesn't adequately enforce its intellectual property laws.

The talks were held a day after the Chinese government announced that all computers sold in the country must now include a preloaded, licensed operating system.

The Washington-based Business Software Alliance commended the Chinese government's move to mandate preloaded software.