Merging of local quality watchogs piloted for food safety

Under the new "three combined into one" model, the registration of a company will be more convenient and the divided inspection mechanism will be improved, said Ma Yunze, a professor in industry development at Tianjin-based Nankai University.

"We will set up market and quality supervision bodies at township or street levels and merge the grass-roots law enforcement teams to strengthen food and drug safety administration," said Wang Haifu, Communist Party chief of the Tianjin Market and Quality Supervision Administration.

Sun Tao, another researcher at Nankai University, said food and drug supervision is highly professionalised and thus the operation of integrated inspection forces needs careful research to ensure specialization.

The Chinese new leadership has vowed to deepen reforms in various sectors, including government administration. The effect of local piloted reforms in food safety inspection has yet to bee seen.

In Shanghai, the Pudong New Area Market Supervision Administration was officially inaugurated on Jan.1. It has proved effective in strengthening law enforcement, said Chen Yanfeng, head of the administration.

The Shanghai municipal government has decided to promote the reform in its eight downtown districts. Pricing administration will also be added to the future reform.