BEIJING, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Commerce on Thursday expressed regret over the European Union's (EU's) decision to request the establishment of a World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement panel in response to Chinese judicial rulings on standard essential patents (SEPs).

China will handle the request properly in accordance with WTO dispute settlement procedures, and will resolutely defend its legitimate rights and interests, an official from the ministry's department of treaty and law said in response to a media query.

On Feb. 12, Geneva time, the EU announced it would request the establishment of a WTO panel concerning its dispute with China over judicial rulings related to SEP licensing litigation.

The official emphasized that China has always attached great importance to the protection of intellectual property rights (IPR).

In strict compliance with WTO rules and its accession commitments, China has continuously improved its IPR legislation and enforcement, achieving results that are evident to all, the official noted.