The State Council agreed to establish an inter-ministerial joint conference system to protect consumer rights. The joint conference will be led by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC), according to an open letter released by the State Council General Office.

The joint conference system is being established to enhance coordination among different ministries, better protect the legal rights of consumers, and fully play the guiding role of consumption for economic development.

The conference has the following main functions: Implement consumer rights protection law; research and promote related policies and measures; instruct and urge related ministries to fulfill their duties; coordinate and solve related problems and consumer issues; manage illegal acts and infringement of consumer rights.

The joint conference is made up of 22 ministries and departments including SAIC, the National Development and Reform Commission, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, China Food and Drug Administration, China National Tourism Administration and China Consumers Association.

The office of the conference will be set at SAIC, and daily work will be carried out there. Zhang Mao, director-general of SAIC, will be the convener.