Zhang Mao Met with the Minister of Food and Drug Safety of the Republic of Korea, Liu Yongzhen　　

　　On the afternoon of February 25, Zhang Mao, Director of the State Administration for Market Supervision, met with the visiting South Korean Food and Drug Safety Minister Liu Yongzhen and his party. According to Zhang Mao,it is hoped that both sides will develop the exchanges and cooperation in the field of food safety, continuously strengthen supervision in the special food sector, and create a safe food consumption environment as well as a good business environment in order to promote the sustained and healthy development of China-South Korea economic and trade relations.Zhang Mao first introduced the function of the State Administration for Market Supervision and its latest work in China's special food sector.He showed that with the continuous development of China's economy, the people has been paying more and more attention to physical health. People’s demand for food has improved from quantity to quality, which in turn promoted the prosperity of the food market. The newly formed State Administration for Market Supervision further strengthened food safety supervision through its functional integration.

　　In accordance with the provisions of the Food Safety Law and other regulations, the regulatory authorities strengthened financial credit management, enhanced supervision and enforcement, and guided rational consumption. They also carried out activities such as multi-departmental joint efforts for 100 days to rectify the “keep-fit market”. Through these activities, the related authorities vigorously rectified false propaganda and counterfeiting such as food market violations and strengthened the supervision of special foods such as health care products with the purpose to create a secure consumer environment and effectively meet the needs of the people for a better life. China and South Korea have a good foundation for cooperation in the field of food safety. It is hoped to consolidate the existing achievements, continue to strengthen exchanges, enhance understanding, and carry out pragmatic cooperation to achieve greater results.

　　Zhang Mao emphasized that China would always adhere to the basic national policy of opening to the outside world, work hard to maintain the multilateral trading system, continuously lower product tariffs, and expand foreign investment access. Treating Chinese and foreign enterprises with the same supervision management, the regulatory authorities continuously optimizes the foreign investment management process, protects the legitimate rights and interests of foreign investment in accordance with the law, and creates a fair and transparent business environment. At present, China-ROK economic and trade enjoys smooth development. Furthmore, Korean companies are welcome to invest in China to make greater contributions to the development of bilateral economic and trade relations.

　　Liu Yongzhen expressed appreciation for the work of the State Administration for Market Supervision in strengthening food safety supervision and creating a good business environment. He said that as the highest regulatory authority for food safety in both countries, the State Administration for Market Supervision and the Ministry of Food and Drug Administration of Korea are responsible for ensuring people’s health and safety. the South Korean side hopes to continue to deepen exchanges and cooperation in the food sector, establish a mechanism for cooperation, promote mutual understanding of food safety supervision laws and regulations to promote the continuous development of China-ROK economic and trade relations.