May 25 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said he is hearing pleas from American businesses that he get China to honor their patents and copyrights and provide them the ability to compete for business in its economy.

Kirk, who is participating in the Security and Economic Dialogue in Beijing yesterday and today, said there will be “very severe” challenges as China’s economy develops and shakes off decades of state planning.

“China’s trading partners have to feel that they have an equal opportunity to compete,” Kirk said in an interview in Beijing. “There is a growing sentiment in the United States that China is not playing by the rules.”

Kirk said he raised concerns about China’s so-called indigenous innovation policy, and urged the government to hold off on implementing those new regulations.

The two governments are holding discussions on topics ranging from health care to clean energy to interest-rate policies in Beijing as part of the summit.

--Editor: John Brinsley

To contact the reporter on this story: Mark Drajem in Washington at mdrajem@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Larry Liebert at lliebert@bloomberg.net.

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