Read in Chinese
Speakers:
Mr. Luo Wen, minister of the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR)
Ms. Gan Lin, vice minister of the SAMR
Mr. Tian Shihong, vice minister of the SAMR
Mr. Pu Chun, vice minister of the SAMR
Chairperson:
Ms. Shou Xiaoli, deputy director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO
Date:
April 13, 2023
Shou Xiaoli:
Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Welcome to this press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO). This is the 14th briefing in the series "Embarking on the New Journey — A Government Perspective." Today, we have invited Mr. Luo Wen, minister of the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), to brief you on energizing the market and solidifying the foundation for high-quality development, and to take your questions. Also joining us today are three vice ministers of the SAMR: Ms. Gan Lin, Mr. Tian Shihong and Mr. Pu Chun.
Now, I'll give the floor to Mr. Luo for a brief introduction.
Luo Wen:
Friends from the media, good afternoon. To begin with, I'd like to thank you for your long-standing interest in, support and help for the market regulation work. It is also my pleasure to have the opportunity to speak with you today and brief you all on market regulators' ideas, measures and progress concerning implementation of major decisions made by the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
At the 20th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed that high-quality development is the primary task for building a modern socialist country in all respects, and called for efforts to expedite the establishment of a new development pattern and promote high-quality development. Practical efforts over the years have taught us that high-quality socioeconomic development would not have been possible without hundreds of millions of vibrant and resilient businesses. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Chinese market has seen a significant expansion in size, a continued optimization in structure, and a gradual improvement in environment. Various thriving businesses have provided a strong support for stable economic growth and comprehensive elevation of the nation's overall strength.
This year marks the start of fully implementing the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, and it is particularly important to ramp up efforts on the economic side. Market regulators will resolutely implement the decisions and plans made by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. We will give full play to our close connections with both the market and businesses, further optimize our regulatory ideas, improve institutional arrangements, develop new measures, and make greater efforts to energize all market entities, in a bid to consolidate the foundation for effectively upgrading the quality of the country's economy and achieving reasonable growth.
First, we will energize market entities by deepening reform. We will improve the market entry and exit system and establish a set of regulatory rules that are unified, standardized, impartial and transparent. We will further reduce government-imposed transaction costs for market entities, and provide greater convenience for business production and operation. In addition, we will keep optimizing regulatory measures, improve the effectiveness of regulation, and make ongoing and ex post regulation more precise and scientific using methods such as credit rating-based regulation and smart regulation.
Second, we will further spur market vitality by pursuing fair competition. Protecting and promoting fair competition and creating an inclusive and fair market environment is conducive to giving full play to businesses' initiative and creativity, and continuously boosting their growth momentum and innovation vitality. Market regulators have always laid equal emphasis on regulating their own work and promoting development, so as to become a builder of a fair competition system, a protector of a fair competition market, a defender of consumers' interests, and a guardian of a unified domestic market. Market regulators will investigate and deal with various cases of monopoly and unfair competition in accordance with the law, fully implement an examination system for fair competition, and provide enormous market space for all sorts of businesses to thrive.
Third, we will implement law-based governance to revitalize the market. The rule of law should play a more important role in consolidating the foundations of governance, meeting people's expectations, and maintaining long-term development. Market supervision authorities need to further apply law-based thinking and approaches to ensure that their work is carried out in line with the rule of law and constantly improve the stability of market supervision and stabilize enterprises' expectations. To boost market confidence, we will ensure continuity and consistency in law enforcement that is fair and equitable. We will also balance the principles of "law, reason, and emotion," improve the effectiveness and efficiency of our work, and ensure that our law enforcement is both firm and compassionate.
Fourth, we will provide greater support and assistance to enterprises and small business owners, recognizing their crucial role as the mainstay of the market economy and the driving force behind its vitality. Market supervision authorities will intensify efforts to improve and implement measures that will help enterprises overcome challenges and obstacles. We will step up targeted cultivation and precise assistance, implementing initiatives aimed at enhancing high-quality development and boosting competitiveness. Additionally, we will crack down on illegal fee collection to ease the burden on enterprises.
Fifth, we will promote order and vitality through regulation. Creating a favorable "soft environment" to stimulate market vitality will be impossible without "hard measures" to regulate market order. Market supervision authorities will take resolute actions and not be lenient toward behaviors that violate market rules and disrupt market order, such as price fraud, infringement, counterfeiting, and false advertising. In particular, for key areas directly related to people's health and safety, such as food, drugs, industrial products, and special equipment, we will always stick to strict law enforcement, strengthen regulation, and severely punish illegal behaviors to promote a healthy market order and unleash market vitality.
This concludes my introduction. Next, my colleagues and I are happy to answer your questions. Thank you.
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Shou Xiaoli:
Thank you, Mr. Luo, for your introduction. The floor is now open to questions. Please identify the news outlet you represent before raising questions.
Southern Metropolis Daily:
Self-employed individuals, represented by street vendors, play a vital role in China's economic development and are essential to the country's economic recovery. What specific measures will be taken this year to promote the growth of these businesses? Thank you.
Luo Wen:
Thank you for your question. Self-employed individuals play a crucial role in China's socialist market economy, serving as important components of the industrial, supply, and consumption chains while also functioning as vital components in the market. They are the direct providers of services in people's daily lives. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, self-employed businesses have experienced significant growth due to the encouragement, support, and guidance of the Party and the government. The total number of self-employed businesses has increased from over 40 million in 2013 to 116 million today. They have played a key role in creating jobs, stabilizing employment, improving people's lives, and promoting market vitality.
We must also acknowledge that individual and family-based businesses are generally small in scale and lack the ability to withstand risks when competing in the market. Given the challenges posed by the economic downturn and the COVID-19 pandemic, these businesses continue to face numerous difficulties and require our special protection and care. Going forward, in accordance with the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, the SAMR will provide stronger assistance and support to ensure the healthy development of these businesses.
First, we will fully implement the guidelines for promoting the development of self-employed businesses. We will leverage the inter-departmental joint meeting mechanism and work together with relevant departments to actively research and formulate support policies in social security, taxes, and fees. We will also continue to organize events such as the "National Month of Service for Individual Business Owners" to provide strong and helpful support for their development.
Second, we will implement pilot projects according to self-employed individuals' types and categories. We will focus on three different types of self-employed individuals: subsistence-based, growth-focused and development-oriented types, as well as four different categories, including local specialties, high-quality new products, and those associated with famous brands. We will provide targeted cultivation and support and help them in a scientific and targeted manner. Meanwhile, we will also strengthen investigation, research, monitoring, and analysis to continuously improve our service standards.
Third, we will give full play to service platforms for self-employed individuals. We will adhere to the government's guidance, allow the market to play its part, and share the benefits with all of society. By integrating resources from all aspects, we will offer information services such as entrepreneurship training, recruitment and employment, laws and policies to self-employed individuals. We will assist more self-employed individuals in understanding policies and reaping greater benefits, supporting them to better leverage their advantages and integrate into the market.
Fourth, we will focus on Party building efforts for micro and small enterprises, self-employed individuals, and professional markets. We will explore and strengthen Party building within new business forms and employment groups, integrating Party building work into the whole process of supervision and services. In particular, we will advance the establishment of Party building work guidance stations under market regulation offices, ensuring that all required stations are built. Through such efforts, we will promote the high-quality development of self-employed individuals with high-quality Party building. Thank you.
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Zhonghongwang.com:
High standards are an important indicator of a country's high-quality development and its participation in high-quality competition. What role does China's standardization work play in the process of promoting high-quality development? What are your plans for the next steps? Thanks.
Luo Wen:
Thank you for your important questions. Competition among enterprises involves not only products but also standards, which hold even higher importance. I would like to invite Mr. Tian to answer your questions.
Tian Shihong:
As a crucial element of a fundamental system, standards, along with measurement, certification, recognition, inspection and testing, make up a nation's quality infrastructure. As such, they also serve as an essential technical force to support high-quality development.
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that standards determine quality, and high quality can only be achieved with high standards. Standardization plays a foundational and leading role in promoting the national governance system and the modernization of governance ability. The CPC Central Committee and the State Council have attached high importance to standardization-related work and specifically issued an outline to promote standardized development at the national level, forming a comprehensive plan for the medium- and long-term development of our standardization. The SAMR has consistently treated standardization-related work as a key task for promoting high-quality growth. We have actively collaborated with relevant departments and local authorities to continuously improve standardization management systems and mechanisms that are unified, authoritative and highly effective. We have also accelerated the building of a system of standards that is structurally optimized, advanced, reasonable, and compatible with international rules, providing support to high technology innovation, high-level opening-up and high-quality development. We have mainly carried out our work in the following aspects.
First, we have strengthened the top-level design of the standards system. The Standardization Administration, along with 15 other departments, has released an action plan for implementing the outline to promote standardized development at the national level. We have advanced the implementation of various major projects, including those focused on high-end equipment manufacturing standardization to strengthen China's infrastructure, leading projects for new industry standardization, initiatives for upgrading carbon peaking and neutrality standardization, and projects aimed at advancing standardization to align with global standards. We have also issued a series of documents on guiding standardization-related work in green development, digital villages, intelligent manufacturing and other fields, providing policy support for building and promoting the system of standards for high-quality development.
Second, we have accelerated our efforts to improve the supply structure of standards. We have promoted a shift from government-led supply standards to a balanced emphasis on both government and market-driven supplies. We have adhered to the fact that standards are set for public welfare and thus strengthened the government's guidance and management. At the same time, we have also encouraged enterprises and society to actively participate in setting standards, leaving development room for the market to formulate standards independently. So far, China has issued 43,000 national-level standards, 78,000 registered industrial standards, 62,000 local standards, 53,000 open self-declaration group standards, and over 2.7 million enterprise standards. Among these, more than 3,200 are leading enterprise standards with first-class technologies, advanced management and remarkable benefits. Thanks to such efforts, we have essentially established a standardization work pattern that is market-driven, government-guided, participated in by society, enterprise-centered, and characterized by openness and integration.
Third, we have accelerated standardization in all sectors. We have taken extensive action to implement the "Standardization Plus" program. As a result, nearly 10,000 agricultural standards have been set, and standardized production accounts for over 30% of agricultural production. Industrial standards have also been constantly upgraded. The international standard conversion rate in many fields, including key equipment manufacturing and next-generation information technology, now exceeds 90%. The consistency of standards on major consumer goods with international standards has reached 95%. The service sector's standards system has improved steadily, with newly released national standards on this sector increasing by 12% year on year. We have also effectively standardized social development in 37 key areas, including administrative management, basic public services, public security, social governance, and other social programs. Standardization is playing an increasingly prominent role in promoting industries' transformation and upgrading, meeting people's desire for a better life, and serving China's opening-up.
Fourth, we have consolidated the foundation for the development of standardization. We have strengthened the entire life cycle management of various standards. Scientific research capacities and management systems for standardization have been steadily improved. We have vigorously advanced the standardization of basic research and application services. Currently, there are more than 1,300 national professional technical organizations for standardization in China, with over 50,000 domestically registered experts and 12,000 experts registered to international organizations. More than 7,300 national pilot demonstration programs for standardization have been established, and nearly 30 national technical standard innovation centers have been built, greatly boosting our basic capacity to support standardization.
Next, the SAMR will fully study and implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and focus our efforts on key targets and tasks to build China into a manufacturer of quality. We will fully implement the outline to promote standardized development at the national level and the outline to improve the overall quality of China's economy. We will strive to change from a pattern in which the government leads the standards-making process to a pattern in which both the government and market contribute to the standards-making process, from a pattern in which standards are mainly applied in industry and trade sectors to a pattern in which standards are applied in all economic and social sectors, and from a pattern in which standardization work is conducted domestically to a pattern in which standardization work is conducted through international cooperation. In addition, standardized development will transform from a quantity-and-scale model to that of quality and efficiency. By doing so, we will work faster to create a system of standards for promoting high-quality development and serve high-quality economic and social development with standardization work. Thank you.
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Kyodo News:
In 2021, the SAMR imposed an administrative penalty on Alibaba Group according to China's anti-monopoly law for the company's abusing its dominant position in the country's online platform market. What's the current situation of China's anti-monopoly work in the online platform market? Thank you.
Luo Wen:
Thank you for your question. Recently it has been a question of common concern. Ms. Gan Lin will answer your question.
Gan Lin:
Thank you for your interest regarding China's anti-monopoly work. Just now, Mr. Luo Wen stressed in his remarks that we have always laid equal emphasis on regulating supervision and promoting development. Also, we have continued to optimize the order of market competition through law enforcement in the field of the platform economy, and further stimulated the innovation vitality and development momentum of platform enterprises and small- and medium-sized enterprises on these platforms.
Let me illustrate this for you. Our law enforcement methods consist of tiered supervisory measures, which include not only administrative penalties but also cautionary talks, administrative guidance, and regulatory guidance. These measures combine to form our regular anti-monopoly supervision. By comprehensively applying these measures according to specific problems, the level of competition within the platform economy has been enhanced. Our work mainly focuses on the following three aspects.
First, we have optimized regulations and rules. We have revised the Anti-Monopoly Law, introduced the Law Enforcement Rules and Regulations for Anti-monopoly Supervision over Internet Platforms, and amended supporting regulations such as the Regulations on Prohibiting Monopolistic Agreements and the Regulations on Prohibiting Abuse of Dominant Market Positions. By specifying provisions on the anti-monopoly supervision of internet platforms, the rules and regulations provide clearer and more definitive guidelines for business entities.
Second, we have strengthened compliant competition guidance. Besides investigating and punishing all forms of monopoly in accordance with the law, we have also urged platform enterprises to completely end monopolistic practices such as requiring businesses to pick sides, to earnestly implement rectification measures, and to improve compliance. Meanwhile, we have given full play to the warning and demonstration effects of typical cases to improve competition order in the market.
Third, we have constantly strengthened regular supervision. We have proposed to enhance the effectiveness of supervision throughout the entire process, from before, during, and after the event, with a full-chain approach. We have strengthened the assessment, monitoring and warning over market competition and optimized preventative supervisory measures to effectively prevent and defuse monopoly risks among internet platforms. This approach ensures fair competition and provides a favorable environment for the well-regulated, sound and sustainable development of platform enterprises. Thank you.
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CCTV:
The CPC Central Committee and the State Council recently issued an outline to improve the overall quality of China's economy, which provides a guide to action on coordinating efforts in this regard. What's the SAMR's plan to implement the outline this year? Thank you.
Luo Wen:
Thanks for your question. Quality is an important guarantee for human production and life. Boosting the overall quality of the country's economy is a critical pathway to better meet people's desire for a better life and improve their well-being. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Chinese people's awareness of quality has increased significantly, the overall quality of products and services has improved steadily, and quality safety has been continuously optimized. The outline issued by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council provides a guide to action on boosting the overall quality of China's economy. This year, we will make efforts to implement the outline mainly in the following three areas.
First, we will consolidate one foundation, which refers to quality infrastructure, encompassing measurement, standards, certification and accreditation, inspection and testing, and other sectors. Quality infrastructure is the fundamental support for boosting the overall quality of China's economy. We will accelerate the building of a modern, advanced measurement system, improve the supply structure of government and market standards, optimize the quality certification system, and increase the capability of comprehensive inspection and testing. We will build a batch of national quality standard laboratories and promote one-stop national quality infrastructure services to make our service more efficient.
Second, we will carry out two campaigns, which refer to quality-improving campaigns both in the product and service sectors. In terms of product quality, we will focus on key categories like food and drugs, as well as key groups, including the elderly, students, children, and people with disabilities. We will conduct regulations covering all groups, all categories and all stages to improve quality safety. In terms of service quality, we will strengthen quality supervision of life-related services and target prominent problems from one industry to another to enhance the consumption experience and guarantee a high-quality life for people.
The third is to launch "three projects." Regarding regions, we will launch a demonstration project on regional quality development, explore the building of role model cities that contribute to boosting China's strength in manufacturing, and develop a demonstration zone for quality brand promotion. Regarding industries, we will launch a project to improve the quality of the industrial chain and jointly advance breakthroughs in quality-related generic technologies. We will accelerate the quality upgrading of the industrial system, steer the industrial chain toward the medium- and high-end, and strengthen industrial competitiveness. Regarding enterprises, we will launch a project to develop Chinese brands and improve the mechanism to foster and grow brands. We will conduct evaluations for the fifth China Quality Award and honor its winners to help develop more quality Chinese products and time-honored brands. Thank you.
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Red Star News:
The report to the 20th CPC National Congress made arrangements for the social credit system as one of the systems underpinning the market economy. What achievements have been made in establishing the credit system and strengthening credit oversight in recent years? Thank you.
Luo Wen:
Thanks for your question. We know that credit is a pass in the market economy and plays an essential role in improving the market economy system. I will invite Mr. Pu to answer this question.
Pu Chun:
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that the socialist market economy is a credit economy. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the market regulation authorities have firmly implemented the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council and established and improved the new-type oversight mechanism, which is centered on the random selection of both inspectors and inspection targets and the prompt release of results, supplemented by oversight of major areas, and based on oversight of credibility . This has reshaped the daily supervision process and realized targeted supervision of enterprises. The oversight efficiency has been constantly improved through coordinated promotion, strongly serving high-quality socio-economic development.
First, a credit information collection and sharing system has been established. A national enterprise credit information disclosure system has been created to legally collect and make public the information of all registered business entities, including their registration, annual reports, administrative licenses, administrative penalties, and random inspections. This has made corporate information more transparent, which is conducive to addressing information asymmetry issues and helps reduce market transaction costs. In addition, the disclosure system has also played a role in encouraging social oversight and guiding society-wide co-governance. Since its launch, the system has collected 5.47 billion pieces of enterprise information, attracting a total of 300 billion visits, with the daily visits exceeding 100 million, and has achieved good social results.
Second, credit constraints and penalties on acts of bad faith have been applied. A management system for abnormal operation list and list of serious legal violations and acts of bad faith has been established and joint punitive actions against bad faith have been conducted so that one dishonest behavior of both individuals and enterprises will result in restrictions at every turn. Meanwhile, the mechanism for protecting the rights and interests of for business entities has been improved, good credit has been restored for some who were once dishonest, and self-correction to reshape the credit has been encouraged. As of the end of February this year, a total of 436,000 pieces of information on administrative penalties were stopped from being made public in advance, 2.87 million records of abnormal operations have been removed from the abnormal operation list, and 9.847 million self-employed individuals have been restored to normal records.
Third, random inspections and supervision have been fully advanced. The random selection of both inspectors and inspection targets and the prompt release of results have realized full coverage on a regular basis, replacing the original inspection system and arbitrary checks involved in daily supervision. The establishment of a supervision system featuring clearly defined rights and obligations, equity and justice, and precision and high efficiency has been accelerated. The supervision actions have been further standardized, and methods have been innovated. Random joint interdepartmental inspections have been actively carried out, checking multiple items during a single inspection. This has not only reduced undue interference from government departments on the independent operation of enterprises but also improved supervision efficiency, saved resources, and cut costs.
Fourth, credit risk classification management has been implemented. Differentiated supervision measures have been adopted according to the credit statuses of business entities. For those with good credit and lower risk, the proportion and frequency of inspections have been reasonably set. For those who have violated the law or have high risks, we have intensified random inspections and enforced strict regulatory measures in accordance with laws and regulations, making the supervision more targeted and precise. As a result, we have not disturbed the honest who abide by the law, yet maintained rigorous warning and deterrence for the dishonest who violate the law and breach trust.
Fifth, we have strengthened credit supervision in key areas. In key sectors such as food, medicine, essential industrial products, and special equipment that affect public safety and the safety of people's lives and property, we have intensified efforts to disclose credit information, restrict dishonest behaviors, and jointly implement punishments. We have accurately identified and rigorously combated illegal and dishonest behaviors, effectively preventing and mitigating risks while ensuring safety measures are in place. Thank you.
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The Beijing News:
Maintaining price stability is essential for boosting consumer confidence. In recent years, issues related to prices have attracted a lot of attention. What measures have been implemented to maintain price stability? Thank you!
Luo Wen:
Thank you. The issue of price is always a concern for the entire society. This question goes to Ms. Gan.
Gan Lin:
Thank you for your question. Price acts as the “barometer” of the market economy and plays a vital role in all aspects of economic activity. It is closely related to every consumer.
As you may be aware, since last year, inflation rates in major economies worldwide have repeatedly hit new highs. Despite this situation, China has maintained generally stable prices, which is a significant achievement. In its efforts to maintain price stability, the SAMR has concentrated on its core functions and undertaken the following initiatives:
First, in terms of epidemic-related materials, we have strengthened supervision efforts to effectively respond to the rapid rise in prices of epidemic-related drugs, protective equipment and medical supplies. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the price of epidemic-related materials has been a focus of concern for the CPC Central Committee, the State Council, and the general public. In particular, from the end of last year to the beginning of this year, some unscrupulous operators hoarded and even sold epidemic-related drugs and medical supplies at inflated prices. To address this issue, the SAMR quickly took action and issued a “Reminder and Warning Letter on Prices and Competitive Order of Epidemic-related Materials,” which clarified the “Nine Prohibitions” requirement. In addition, a nationwide special campaign was launched to stabilize prices and ensure the quality of epidemic-related drugs and medical supplies. This campaign has been ongoing for half a year and is still in progress. As of now, 6,253 cases have been filed nationwide, with a penalty amount of 39.39 million yuan. These efforts have effectively maintained price stability in epidemic-related drugs and medical supply markets across the country.
Second, we have implemented targeted measures for major commodity categories and critical links to promote stable and healthy socio-economic development. Commodity prices are prone to be heavily impacted by the international markets and have a notable transmission effect. The SAMR has focused on three key areas: key types of commodities, critical periods and major links. We have also continued to intensify our supervision and law enforcement efforts. To address issues related to electricity supply caused by rising coal prices, we have conducted price inspections in major coal-producing areas and severely punished 21 companies that violated the law. To address issues related to spring farming preparations impacted by price spikes in chemical fertilizer, we have punished three fertilizer companies for driving up potash fertilizer prices. To combat instability in industrial chains caused by rising iron ore prices, we have actively provided administrative guidance, issued warnings and reminders, and conducted research and inspections. By guiding market expectations appropriately, we have effectively curbed irrational price increases.
Third, we have focused on key areas and specialty products related to people's livelihoods to resolutely protect the legitimate rights and interests of consumers. Since consumers are mostly concerned about prices in their daily lives, the SAMR has consistently adopted a people-centered approach to overseeing prices in sectors relevant to people's livelihoods, especially in areas such as education, medical care and health. We have launched special crackdown campaigns to address price-related wrongdoings in the abovementioned key sectors, with particular efforts to curb arbitrary price increases and charges. In response to problems with off-campus training, such as “fabrication, exaggeration, and inducement,” we have imposed maximum penalties on 15 agencies based on the Price Law and the Anti-unfair Competition Law. Regarding the issue of overpriced mooncakes, we organized an intensive operation regarding food security, pricing, packaging, and advertising. We conducted inspections in over 80,000 hotels, shops, and supermarkets. As many of you may have noticed, during the Mid-Autumn Festival last year, the average price of mooncakes across the country dropped significantly compared to previous years. Also, we swiftly conducted inspections on “ice cream assassins” (ice creams with unclear or hidden prices that turn out to be excessively high when it's time to pay), actively responded to public concerns, and guided businesses to strengthen self-discipline in pricing and operate in accordance with laws and regulations.
In the next step, the SAMR will diligently implement the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council and continuously enhance the forward-looking, targeted, and effective supervision of prices, better serve the stable operation of the macroeconomy, and better safeguard the interests of the people. Thank you!
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Voice of China, China Media Group:
We understand the importance of preventing catering waste to ensure national food security and promoting a conservation-oriented society. We are also aware that the SAMR has recently launched a special campaign against food waste. Could you please provide us with an update on the latest progress and achievements of this campaign? Thank you!
Luo Wen:
Thank you for your question. My colleague Mr. Pu Chun will answer this question.
Pu Chun:
Thank you for your question. This is a very important issue. As the saying goes, "Every grain of rice and every drop of congee should be cherished." Thrift and frugality are traditional virtues of the Chinese nation and an unshakable tradition of our Party. The SAMR has consistently prioritized the rectification of catering waste, with a persistent focus on setting standards, establishing systems, enhancing supervision, enforcing strict laws, conducting extensive publicity, and providing guidance to promote widespread efforts across society to prevent catering waste.
In March of this year, the SAMR launched a special three-month campaign to combat catering waste within the national market supervision system. The aim is to address outstanding issues, uncover illegal cases, develop group standards, and promote exemplary models in order to foster a positive social culture of frugality and anti-waste. The national market regulatory authorities have mainly focused on the following areas of work.
First, we have intensified regulatory oversight to establish effective constraints. By integrating the prevention of catering waste into the "two responsibilities " framework for food safety, which involved the primary responsibility of food production and operation entities and the responsibility of local government management for food safety, we ensured its implementation and supervision. We have also organized actions such as "random inspections of restaurants" and enforced swift and strict investigation and punishment for illegal cases of catering waste. By the end of March, a total of 2.595 million catering service operators had been urged to conduct self-inspections, resulting in the investigation and resolution of 2,423 cases of illegal behavior, with 229 typical cases publicly announced and exposed.
Second, we have strengthened guidance and leveraged the benefits of role model demonstration. We have studied and formulated the Guiding Opinions on Implementing the Responsibility of the Main Entities of Online Catering Platforms to Effectively Prevent the Waste of Takeaway Food, urging the leading takeaway platforms to play a demonstrating and leading role. We have guided the formulation of comprehensive prompts throughout the entire process, refined the portion descriptions, adjusted the discount for meeting the minimum order requirement, promoted specific measures such as "small portion, small dishes," and established a reward mechanism, which has all helped to promote a standardized and healthy takeaway food ordering industry.
Third, we led by setting standards and establishing long-term mechanisms. We have included food conservation, waste reduction, and prevention of catering waste in the 2023 Guideline on National Standard Establishment , providing strong support for these key areas. We are also promoting the formulation of national standards, such as the Guidelines for Assessing the Effectiveness of Anti-Food Waste Measures in Canteens of Government Organs, and have approved the release of the Credit Rating Evaluation Criteria for the Hospitality Industry to link corporate credit with anti-waste efforts. Furthermore, we are facilitating industry organizations to jointly develop six group standards for preventing catering waste.
Fourth, we are focusing on publicity and guidance and fostering a joint-governance atmosphere. We have organized industry associations to issue joint initiatives, advocating for an increased awareness of food conservation and resistance to wasteful behaviors among enterprises and consumers. We have conducted activities on campuses to promote anti-food-waste knowledge, with anti-food-waste knowledge promotion videos simultaneously played in 371 universities and colleges, reaching over 1 million views. We have also provided guidance to local governments to carry out activities promoting relevant standards and legal knowledge on preventing catering waste, with 5,914 events held and 2.253 million catering industry practitioners trained, receiving positive feedback from society.
Stopping food waste requires the collective participation of the entire society, and it should be a sustained and persistent effort. We have taken the opportunity at this press conference to urge the media to pay more attention to efforts in combating food waste. Let us all become practitioners, advocates, and watchdogs of the "Clear Your Plate" campaign, working together to promote a civilized, healthy, and sustainable dining consumption philosophy. Thank you!
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21st Century Business Herald:
Food safety is a major issue concerning people's well-being, and implementing food safety responsibilities is fundamental to food safety. What work has the SAMR done to promote the implementation of food safety responsibilities? And what are the work arrangements for the next step? Thank you.
Luo Wen:
Thank you for your questions. General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized that food safety should be treated as a crucial political task that involves both the Party and government officials assuming responsibilities. He emphasized the need for the strictest standards, oversight, punishment and accountability to ensure food safety . In September last year, the Food Safety Commission of the State Council specially issued a document, making plans for localities to establish and improve a working mechanism featuring tiered, differentiated, targeted control, and end-to-end efforts to promote the fulfillment of local governments' management responsibilities for food safety. At the same time, the SAMR also issued department regulations requiring enterprises to appoint food safety directors and officers in accordance with the law. This ensures that the main responsibility for the company's food safety is fulfilled by the "smallest work unit," meaning people in charge can be identified, problems can be investigated, and responsibility can be assigned. Centering on promoting the implementation of the responsibilities of all parties, we will take the following steps this year.
First, we will see that enterprises shoulder primary responsibility. We will supervise and guide them to formulate a food safety risk management and control list based on factors such as production, business operations, scale, food categories, and risk levels. The list will be incorporated the enterprise's overall production and business operation process. Meanwhile, we will urge enterprises to appoint food safety directors and food safety officers, and see that the food safety officers strictly enforce daily management and control measures, the safety directors conduct weekly investigation, and the person in charge of the enterprise schedules monthly follow-ups. In addition, all these activities shall be recorded and archived in a truthfully manner for future reference.
Second, we will urge local governments to fulfill their due responsibilities within their jurisdiction. Through the implementation of the guarantee system, we divide all food production and operation entities in China into four levels, A, B, C, and D, according to their scale and business type, and correspond to the four levels of guarantee officials at the city, county, township, and village, ensuring that each entity is overseen by officials. At the same time, the system of "three lists plus a letter of commitment" is implemented for officials in charge. The responsibility list specifies which companies each guarantee official will be specifically responsible for. The task list defines the specific tasks of each guarantee official. The inspection list specifies the inspection items from the upper to the lower level. The letter of commitment means that the officials in charge shall sign a responsibility and task commitment letter with the competent authorities and file it for future reference. Adopting the above-mentioned systems allows local governments' responsibilities to be promoted in a specific, practical, and implementable way.
Third, we will strictly implement the responsibilities of relevant departments. We will guide market supervision departments at all levels to focus on the implementation of the "daily control, weekly investigation, and monthly scheduling" system by food enterprises as a key aspect of supervision and inspection. Enterprises that fail to fulfill their main responsibilities in accordance with the regulations shall be ordered to make corrections and, depending on actual circumstances, may face fines, suspension of production and business operations, or license revocation.
In short, through the establishment and improvement of the food safety responsibility sharing and implementation mechanism, we aim to ensure the two "key minorities" of local Party and government leaders, as well as enterprise safety management personnel, truly fulfill their "last-kilometer" responsibilities. By promoting the primary responsible parties to fully exert their power, we can achieve lasting impact on food safety and fundamentally guarantee its security. Thank you.
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China Daily:
Special equipment safety is closely related to people's daily life and production and is connected to the life and property safety of the general public. With the upsurge of efforts to boost the economy in various places, the production pace of enterprises has accelerated after resuming operations. How can we ensure the safety of special equipment to avoid accidents? Thank you!
Tian Shihong:
Thank you. As the China Daily reporter just said, special equipment safety is closely related to daily life and production. It includes not only the safety of pressure-bearing special equipment such as boilers, pressure vessels, pressure pipes, and gas cylinders, but also the safety of special electromechanical equipment such as elevators, passenger ropeways, large amusement facilities, hoisting machinery, and special vehicles used in factories.
With a commitment to safe development, the market regulatory departments have been working to enhance the supervision of special equipment safety. We have been conducting comprehensive investigations to identify and eliminate potential risks associated with special equipment, thereby effectively preventing accidents involving such equipment. As of now, the number of accidents and deaths related to special equipment has decreased by 52% and 36.84%, respectively, compared with the same period last year. No major special equipment accidents have occurred, and the overall safety situation of special equipment in China remains stable.
At the same time, we also need to recognize that special equipment is growing rapidly. The total amount of special equipment is large, with a significant stock of old equipment and a fast growth rate of new equipment. The number of existing special equipment has reached 19,917,300 units. Take elevators as an example; there are 9,982,500 elevators in operation nationwide, transporting more than 2 billion people daily. Among them, 736,800 old elevators have been in operation for more than 15 years, while the growth rate of new elevators added every year is about 10%. At present, large-scale, high-parameter and high-risk special equipment continues to grow, and new materials, processes, and equipment are emerging, along with all kinds of new risks and hazards. At the same time, some enterprises have insufficient safety awareness in the management of special equipment usage, imperfect management systems, and only perform superficial daily maintenance. The phenomenon of operators working without a certificate still exists, which increases the risk of special equipment accidents. In the next step, the SAMR will continue to strengthen the supervision of special equipment safety, urge enterprises to implement their main responsibility for safety, and jointly safeguard the bottom line of special equipment safety, creating a good environment for high-quality development. Specifically, we have several measures in place:
First, we will effectively strengthen the responsibility for safety supervision. We will encourage local governments at all levels to fulfill their local management responsibilities, coordinating and rectifying major safety hazards regarding special equipment. Focusing on the requirement that “managing an industry necessitates ensuring safety,” we will clarify the management responsibilities of relevant industry sectors. Meanwhile, we will also emphasize the role of the special equipment safety joint meeting mechanism within the security commission at all levels, promoting the formation of a joint management and work approach. Market regulatory authorities at all levels will further improve the risk prevention and control mechanism for special equipment, intensify administrative law enforcement, establish connections with criminal justice, and reinforce credit punishment. This will ensure the effective implementation of regulatory measures.
Second, we will emphasize the main responsibility of enterprises. We will formulate and implement regulations for the supervision and management of special equipment production and usage, ensuring enterprises fulfill their responsibilities. We will establish a safe work mechanism that involves daily control, weekly inspections, and monthly scheduling. We will urge enterprises to appoint safety directors and officers, clarify the safety responsibilities of the main responsible person of the enterprise, standardize the behavior of safety managers, and enforce the accountability of the main body of the enterprise. Market regulatory authorities will fully deploy activities to promote corporate responsibility, urging enterprises to firmly establish a safety bottom-line mindset and strictly implement production safety measures.
Third, we will carry out special equipment safety rectification. We will focus on increasing special equipment supervision and inspection efforts in schools, hospitals, amusement parks, tourist attractions, and other public gathering places. At the same time, we will carry out special rectification activities targeting accident-prone weak links, such as town gas pressure pipelines, high-pressure gas cylinders, small boilers, passenger ropeways, and unregistered illegal use of special equipment. We will also strengthen supervision and inspection efforts in key periods, key regions, and key areas, especially ensuring the safety of special equipment during holidays, festivals and major activities, to resolutely prevent and curb the occurrence of serious accidents. Thank you!
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Bauhinia Magazine:
In recent years, China has investigated and handled a number of cases of market and administrative monopolies, which has aroused public attention. What follow-up measures will be taken, and how can we better protect and promote fair competition? Thank you.
Gan Lin:
Thank you for your questions. Just now, when I answered the question from the reporter from Kyodo News, I partially addressed your question. Your question encompasses a broader scope, including both market and administrative monopolies. As you just mentioned, in recent years, we have resolutely implemented the decisions and plans of the Party Central Committee and the State Council and investigated and handled a number of representative cases in accordance with the Anti-Monopoly Law, which has aroused public attention and yielded satisfactory results. Next, acting upon the plans and requirements of the 20th CPC National Congress on combatting monopolies and promoting fair competition, we will give equal emphasis to standardizing supervision and promoting development. The measures mainly include the following four aspects:
First, we will further improve the supply of laws and regulations to cement the foundation of the rule of law for fair competition. We will reinforce the foundational role of fair competition policies and ensure the implementation of the Anti-Monopoly Law. Meanwhile, we will intensify efforts to amend the Anti-Unfair Competition Law, improve supporting regulations and rules for anti-monopoly, such as standards for reporting business concentrations, and take solid steps to enhance the operability and predictability of laws and regulations so as to ensure that enterprises have a clearer understanding of the regulatory rules and law enforcement procedures and have greater confidence in the market environment.
Second, we will further regulate the improper intervention of administrative power in market competition to break local protectionism and administrative monopolies. We will move faster to improve the fair competition review system by promoting the formulation of regulations and enhancing third-party evaluation mechanisms. Regular spot checks and inspections will also be conducted. We will strengthen law enforcement to prevent and stop abuse of administrative power to exclude and restrict competition. We will delimit the rules and improve the code of conduct to reinforce the authority of regulation and enhance the hard constraints on law enforcement. With all these efforts, we will promote the smooth flow of goods and resources in a wider scope.
Third, we will further enhance the quality and efficiency of the anti-monopoly Law enforcement to maintain market order for fair competition. We will take solid steps to carry out our pre-deployed law enforcement to counter monopolies in areas that are important to people's well-being and promptly address violations of the competition law that are of great concern to the people. We will strengthen the review of business concentrations in key areas and further improve case-handling efficiency and review quality. We will advance the building of the compliance management system for fair competition between businesses and continuously optimize the market competition environment.
Fourth, we will further improve the governance capacity for fair competition to expand the influence of anti-monopoly both at home and abroad. We will continue to strengthen publicity and advocacy for fair competition, organize a publicity week for China's fair competition policies, and release annual reports on the enforcement of anti-monopoly and anti-unfair competition laws on a regular basis to create high-quality publicity brands. We will deepen international cooperation to combat monopolies, align with high-standard international competition rules, and actively participate in the governance of international competition to boost market competition and innovation dynamism for a better market environment. With these efforts, we will make greater contributions to accelerating the creation of a new development pattern and the pursuit of high-quality development. Thank you.
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Shou Xiaoli:
Please raise your hand if you still have a question. The last question, please.
Economic Daily:
The Central Economic Work Conference has put forward that we should step up efforts to develop the digital economy, enhance regular oversight, and support platform enterprises to fully play their roles. As the major regulator for the platform economy, what specific measures will be taken by the SAMR in this regard, and what will be done to support the healthy development of the platform economy? Thank you!
Luo Wen:
Thank you for your questions. The CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has attached great importance to the status and role of the digital economy and has made a series of major decisions and plans. The market regulation departments have conscientiously studied and implemented the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping, followed the underlying principles of the development of digital economy, and continuously strengthened regular regulation of internet platforms. We will mainly take measures in the following five aspects to guide the healthy development of internet platforms.
First, we will increase the supply of rules and institutions to create a stable, transparent, and predictable institutional environment. We will establish sound basic rules and institutions in the digital economy and improve supporting institutions such as guidelines, guidance, and standards. By means of open, impartial, and transparent rules and institutions, we will send a clear and definite signal to the market to stabilize market expectations and boost confidence in development.
Second, we will work on improving the regulation mechanisms to enhance the efficient coordination of the internet platforms regulation. We will research and explore ways to establish and improve a multi-layered and tiered regulatory responsibility system with hierarchical correspondence. We will give full play to the role of the comprehensive coordination mechanism, such as the joint meeting mechanism for internet market regulation, improve inter-departmental coordinated law enforcement, and explore the establishment of a regional integration mechanism for communication, coordination, synergy, and cooperation.
Third, we will develop new models of regular regulation to see that internet platform enterprises fulfill their primary responsibilities in compliance management. Focusing on key aspects of compliance management and following the principles of operability, realization, and examination, we will improve the dynamic management of compliance risks on internet platforms. We will also establish evaluation indicators for compliance in specific areas, and develop measures such as spot checks and assessment by government departments, regular regulation, positive incentives, and punishment for rule violations to ensure that internet platform enterprises conscientiously fulfill their primary responsibility.
Fourth, we will advance digitalization to enhance the capacity and level of smart regulation. We will take active steps to explore the application of new technologies, including big data, blockchain, and AI in the regulation and law enforcement of internet platforms. We will speed up the development of a national platform for regulating online trading, strengthen monitoring, early warning systems, risk prevention and control, and focus on enhancing look-through regulation capacities. This will allow us to achieve unified command and coordination, quick response, prompt treatment, and more accurate, timely, and effective regulation.
Fifth, we will optimize service measures to better unleash the growth potential of the digital economy. We will focus on establishing national demonstration zones for internet market regulation and service and support local authorities in developing new regulatory and service models. We will actively cultivate internet-based business entities, foster the development of industrial clusters, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of all parties in accordance with the law. At the same time, we will further optimize the business environment and guide internet platform enterprises to achieve open and innovative development to empower the digital economy. Thank you.
Shou Xiaoli:
Thanks to Mr. Luo Wen and all of the speakers, as well as our friends from the media for their participation. Today's briefing is hereby concluded. See you.
Translated and edited by Zhu Bochen, Guo Yiming, Zhou Jing, Li Xiao, Lin Liyao, Xu Xiaoxuan, Cui Can, Zhang Rui, Yan Bin, Liu Caiyi, Xu Kailin, Wang Wei, He Shan, Ma Yujia, Zhang Junmian, Yuan Fang, Huang Shan, Wang Yiming, Li Huiru, Liu Qiang, David Ball, Tom Arnsten, and Jay Birbeck. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.
