By Wu Yi
Updated: 2007-12-13 11:53

Resident quality inspectors have been posted in major pharmaceutical companies. A system for recalling defective foodstuffs and other consumer goods involving human health and safety has been established. Checks have been conducted on all bases that produce raw materials for food, toys and other key export products. We have also revoked the export licenses of producers who have not met our standards.

Obviously, tough measures are called for to protect consumer interests. We will continue to take such measures, even if this means increasing our costs and suffering a drop in exports. I am convinced that thanks to this ongoing effort, China's legal framework governing product quality, quality standards, and supervision and controls will be significantly improved and that the "Made in China" label will be even more popular with consumers across the world.

Enhancing dialogue and cooperation is crucial to improving product quality and food safety. And I believe it is important that we take the following steps in addressing this issue:

First, product quality and food safety of different countries should be viewed in an objective light. With greater economic and social, as well as scientific and technological progress, higher and more comprehensive standards are being set for product quality and food safety. However, standards, supervision and control systems vary for countries with different national conditions and in different stages of development.

There is also a gap between developed and developing countries in terms of their capacity for supervision and control. Some specific methods of supervision and control that were effective in the past are not sufficient to address new problems now. This means we need to expand our common ground and jointly strengthen our supervision and control efforts to improve product quality.

Second, we should take a hard look at substandard products. Making sensational charges is convenient, but won't address the root of the problem. We should find out what has caused the defect: Is it caused by faulty design or substandard material supplied, or has something gone wrong in production or in the course of transportation? While these questions remain unanswered, it is unfair to place all the blame on producers.

Third, individual cases involving product quality and food safety ought to be handled for what they are, and one should resist the temptation to jump to sweeping conclusions about them. In particular, attempts to politicize these issues and use them to erect new trade barriers should be firmly opposed.

China will live up to its responsibilities and obligations when it comes to product quality and food safety. But we would appreciate understanding, support and help from our trade partners, as we are contributing our share to resolving the problem. Economic globalization has bound all of us closer than ever before. We need to work together. Only by doing so can we protect the interests of all consumers.

The author, Ms. Wu Yi, is vice premier of China.

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