Zhang Mao, head of the State Administration for Market Regulation, Jiao Hong, head of the National Medical Products Administration, and Shen Changyu, commissioner of the National Intellectual Property Administration, answered questions on strengthening market regulation and safeguarding market order at a news conference during the second session of the 13th National People’s Congress on March 11, 2019.

Here are the highlights:

Greater oversight pledged for vaccine sector

China will improve its long-term regulatory mechanism for vaccines and implement the toughest possible oversight on related products, Jiao Hong, head of the National Medical Products Administration, said on March 11.

She said domestically made vaccines were safe overall, affirming comments made by the head of China’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention on March 4, who urged the public not to lose trust in the country’s vaccine sector.

Jiao said a new draft law on vaccine management, to tighten the supervision and management of production, research, and distribution of these products, had been reviewed by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, and released to solicit public opinion.

Stricter regulation in store for online commerce

China’s market regulator said on March 11 that the government will promote stricter regulation and supervision over online commerce, amid public concerns about false advertising, fake imported goods and monopolistic practices.

E-commerce platforms also have to take key responsibilities for promoting credibility and integrity, Zhang Mao, head of the State Administration for Market Regulation, said at a news conference on the sidelines of the ongoing two sessions, urging them to strengthen internal controls.

Zhang stressed that the administration will set the same standard for online and offline shopping and increase the penalties of selling fake goods for a better development of e-commerce.

China to punish makers, sellers of fake products ‘until bankruptcy’

China will substantially increase the cost for breaking the law in the crackdown on intellectual property right infringements and counterfeits, Zhang Mao, head of the State Administration for Market Regulation, said on March 11.

“We will make the manufacturers and sellers of fake products pay the price until bankruptcy,” he said.

They will also be exposed to the public and “have no place to hide under the sunshine,” Zhang said.

At the same time, the country will push for the self-discipline of companies and nurture a social credit system, he said.

Through the efforts, the administration aims to gradually reduce the number of fake products and ease the concerns of the people, Zhang added.