China to intensify product quality supervision

BEIJING - China will intensify efforts in supervising the quality and safety of significant products this year, according to an action plan released by the State Council on Thursday.

According to the plan, government authorities are urged to launch a campaign against poor quality in key products.

"Government departments should prioritize food, edible agricultural products, medicine, products for women and children, agricultural materials and building materials," it said.

They should also crack down on illegal activities concerning shoddy cotton, poor-quality bricks, substandard steel bars, fake herbal medicine, and other areas.

The action plan also said efforts should be made in urging companies to shoulder responsibility in product quality and safety, as well as in promoting the construction of a quality trustworthiness mechanism.