CCTV:
As Mr. Li just mentioned, the risk of inbound infections is increasing. Recently, samples from cold-chain food or food packaging have tested positive for the coronavirus in some regions. This has attracted much public attention. What measures have the appropriate departments taken to prevent cases being caused via imported cold-chain food? What are the regulatory measures for imported cold-chain food products that have already entered the Chinese market? Thank you.
Bi Kexin:
Thank you for your questions. These are issues of great public concern. In order to effectively prevent cases being caused via imported cold-chain food, customs authorities across China have further tightened quarantine measures.
First, we have further strengthened management at the source. The GAC has enhanced communication and consultation with the competent authorities of exporting countries. We require them to follow the guidelines issued by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the WHO. We urge their domestic companies that export food products to China to follow the guidance on food safety for food businesses released by the FAO and WHO to prevent their products and packaging from being contaminated by the coronavirus during production, processing, storage, and transportation.We have circulated to those authorities two technical guidelines issued by China's NHC, namely COVID-19 prevention and control during the production and operation of cold-chain food, and disinfection for COVID-19 prevention and control during the production and operation of cold-chain food. We require that relevant food businesses enforce all prevention and control measures in accordance with the guidelines. To ensure the implementation of all the above measures, we have carried out remote video inspections of competent authorities and food producers in exporting countries via an online platform.
So far, we have communicated with competent authorities of all 109 countries that export cold-chain food products to China and held more than 180 video conferences and consultations. Our suggestions and requirements have gained widespread recognition. We have carried out spot checks on 140 cold-chain food manufacturers in 50 countries and have suspended or canceled the registration permits of 22 companies that were found to have problems.
Second, we have halted imports from foreign producers that have reported clusters of COVID-19 cases among their employees. We have stepped up monitoring on overseas cold-chain food manufacturers in terms of their preventive measures against the disease and taken effective action in a timely manner. As of midnight on Nov. 11, imports from 99 companies of 20 countries had been suspended. Among them, 82 companies voluntarily suspended exports to China after an outbreak of COVID-19.
Third, we have strengthened our risk monitoring of imported cold-chain food. We have conducted nucleic acid testing on samples of imported cold-chain food products, mainly imported seafood. As of midnight on Nov. 11, a total of 873,475 samples had been taken by customs authorities nationwide, of which just 13 tested positive. All the others tested negative.
Fourth, we have taken emergency preventive measures following positive nucleic acid test results. After samples taken from cold-chain food or food packaging tested positive for the virus in some regions, the GAC suspended the import declarations of the overseas companies concerned for periods ranging from one week to four weeks. As of midnight on Nov. 11, we had suspended eight overseas food manufacturers and six fishing vessels.
Going forward, the GAC will resolutely implement important instructions given by General Secretary Xi Jinping. While continuing our efforts on source management and risk monitoring, we will ensure the disinfection of imported cold-chain food products at ports in strict accordance with the work plan released by the State Council's inter-agency task force on Nov. 8. We will also enhance cooperation with other departments to guard against inbound infections via imported cold-chain food. Thank you.
Chen Xu:
Thank you for your question. If I may add one more thing.
In order to implement the decisions and deployments made by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, as well as the requirements of the State Council's inter-agency task force, the market regulatory authorities will work with relevant departments to double down on risk monitoring and the management of imported cold-chain foods.
First, we will strengthen cooperation. The State Administration for Market Regulation will work with the National Health Commission and the General Administration of Customs to ensure that market operators, producers and sellers will carry out the COVID-19 nucleic acid tests for imported cold-chain foods and disinfect all the cold-chain foods. Market regulatory authorities at the local level should follow the deployment made by local governments, and work together with local health and anti-epidemic institutions, to ensure that enterprises engaged in processing imported cold-chain foods, cold storage facilities, supermarkets in shopping malls, wholesale markets and catering services providers will receive COVID-19 nucleic tests on the imported cold-chain foods in a regular manner. Efforts should be stepped up to ensure regular epidemic monitoring and risk early warning systems.
Second, we will ensure enhanced screening and control over imported cold-chain food. Following the deployments of the State Council's inter-agency task force as well as relevant guidance, the State Administration for Market Regulation will provide guidance for local authorities to ensure the proper disposal of the foods proving positive for COVID-19. Regarding those samples of imported cold-chain foods testing positive for the virus which have been found during the regular nucleic acid tests by local authorities, we will conduct investigations to trace the source, and ensure that relevant information will be shared between provinces in a timely and smooth manner. We will double down on efforts to trace the targeted cold-chain foods, so as to maximize the efficiency in reducing the transmission of the novel coronavirus.
Third, we will ensure that responsibilities are fully assumed by all those involved in terms of food safety. The market regulatory authorities at the local level should provide guidance for market operators, producers and sellers of foods to ensure that they will operate in accordance with the Food Safety Law and its implementation regulations. This requires them to step up efforts to inspect carefully while purchasing, and raise awareness in demanding certificates and invoices, conducting food safety self-inspections, source tracing management, temperature control of the products, as well as more focus on employees' health. A tracing system for food safety should be established so as to ensure all the foods entering the market are traceable. The market regulatory authorities should double down their efforts to investigate those cold-chain foods of unknown origin. Moreover, we will ensure that responsibilities are fully assumed by all those involved in terms of epidemic prevention and control. Ahead of purchasing, market operators, producers and sellers of cold-chain foods should ask for and check the nucleic acid test reports and disinfection certificates of all products. All those failing to provide qualified certificates shall not be allowed to enter into the market. Thank you.
