Vice-Premier urges reform in food, drug administration

NANJING - Vice-Premier Wang Yang has called for accelerating food and drug administration reform, asking for joint efforts from the government, enterprises and the public to ensure product safety.

Wang made the remarks during food safety and foreign trade inspections conducted in Shandong and Jiangsu provinces from Wednesday to Friday.

During the inspections, Wang toured food and drug enterprises in Jinan and Nanjing, the capitals of the two provinces, to collect ideas from local governments, companies, research institutes, industrial associations and rural cooperatives.

According to Wang, supervisory forces must be strengthened to ensure that supervision and management departments at all levels are fully capable of performing their duties.

Wang called for an electronic tracking system for food and drug products, as well as special crackdowns and harsh punishments for food safety violators.

Meanwhile, Wang called for pushing the adjustment of industrial structures and technological innovation forward with the help of stimulus policies while encouraging information transparency and public scrutiny.

While visiting foreign trade companies, Wang said China's imports and exports are suffering due to negative exterior influences, telling local governments to meticulously improve and implement policies and measures to ensure the steady development of foreign trade.

In addition, Wang called on government departments to help enterprises solve problems, explore new markets, foster independent brands and expand foreign investment.