BOAO, Hainan, April 10 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping said Tuesday China will strengthen protection of intellectual property rights (IPR).

He made the remarks in a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia annual conference held in the southern island province of Hainan.

IPR protection is the centerpiece of the system for improving property rights protection, and it would provide the biggest boost to enhancing the competitiveness of the Chinese economy, the president said.

"Stronger IPR protection is the requirement of foreign enterprises, and even more so of Chinese enterprises," he said.

China is re-instituting the State Intellectual Property Office this year to step up law enforcement, significantly raise the cost for offenders and fully unlock the deterrent effect of relevant laws, according to the president.

"We encourage normal technological exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and foreign enterprises, and protect the lawful IPR owned by foreign enterprises in China," he said.

Meanwhile, China hopes foreign governments will also improve protection of Chinese IPR, the president said.