BEIJING - A national office will be established to facilitate China's efforts to crack down on infringement of intellectual property rights (IPR) and counterfeit products, the State Council, or the Cabinet, said Wednesday.

China faces an arduous task in fighting IPR infringement as well as the production and sale of fake products, therefore, greater administrative and law enforcement efforts are needed, according to a statement issued after a State Council executive meeting.

Presided over by Premier Wen Jiabao, the meeting highlighted demand for stricter supervision over manufacturers and inspection over the market of food, medicine, cosmetics, agricultural materials, construction materials, machinery and electronics, and auto parts.

Police are urged to establish a cross-region law enforcement cooperative system to facilitate the investigation into cases of IPR infringement and fake products, according to the statement.

The State Council also called for improved regulation of Internet-based trade.

Local governments are tasked with the duty of cracking down on IPR infringement and counterfeit products in the regions within their jurisdiction, and their performance in this regard will be monitored, the statement said.

According to the statement, the State Council stressed the organs concerned must make greater, coordinated efforts to safeguard the credibility of enterprises and individually-run businesses.

Furthermore, the cabinet urged efforts to upgrade laws and regulations so as to stipulate tougher penalties for crimes involving IPR infringement and the production and sale of fake products.