BEIJING, Apr. 19 (Xinhua) -- China has investigated and dealt with a large number of major trademark infringements that were thought to harm people's health and safety.

Zhang Qin, vice commissioner of the State Intellectual Property Office, said at a press conference organized by the State Council Information Office, statistics show that in 2005 Chinese authorities have investigated and completed 49,412 trademark cases, including 6,770 involved foreign companies, 23.2 percent more that the number in 2004 of 5,494.

According to a decision made by the State Council on intellectual property protection, the State Administrative for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) launched a campaign to protect registered trademarks from July 2004 throughout the country, while in 2005 it organized four special operations for investigating trademark infringements, especially those in the food and medical fields as well as the geographical indications, Zhang said.