Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang said China is strengthening protection of intellectual property rights and making efforts to create a good investment environment for foreign companies.

Li made the remarks when meeting with Chairman of Microsoft Corporation Bill Gates in Beijing on Monday.

He said China is speeding up the transformation of its economic development pattern and endeavoring to upgrade the quality and efficiency of its economic growth.

The Chinese government attaches importance to the role of information technology in altering traditional industries and improving people's lives, he said.

With nearly 400 million internet users, China is the world's biggest information products market, the vice premier said.

He also said he believes Microsoft and other relevant foreign companies have bright prospects in China.

Bill Gates said Microsoft and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will further strengthen cooperation and exchange with Chinese companies and organizations.

(Xinhua News Agency September 29, 2010)