LANZHOU, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Courts in northwest China's Gansu Province concluded 168.3 percent more intellectual property rights (IPR) cases last year as China stepped up crackdown on IPR infringement.

The courts in Gansu concluded 762 civil, administrative and criminal IPR cases in 2018, according to statistics from the Gansu Higher People's Court Friday.

Yin Bingwen, head of the IPR Tribunal of the court, said the trials of IPR cases could contribute to a fair and trustworthy market environment.

China has intensified the clampdown on IPR infringement to better protect rights and interests. Nationwide, Chinese courts concluded 288,000 IPR cases of first instance last year, marking a year-on-year increase of 41.8 percent.

A tribunal for IPR-related cases was set up at China's Supreme People's Court last year to further promote the judicial protection of IPR.