In a joint effort by the Ministry of Commerce, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, a three-month nationwide campaign was launched Wednesday to bring China’s alcohol market back on track.

The campaign targets regional protectionism, fake products and uncertified producers and retailers.

The launch comes just ahead of the week-long National Day holiday. Such festive occasions generally mean a rise in alcohol consumption.

However, in recent years there have been numerous reports of people being poisoned by fake or substandard alcohol products. One of the most recent was an incident that left 11 people dead in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, in May.

Various forms of regional protectionism are also affecting the market, said Assistant Minister of Commerce Huang Hai during a Wednesday teleconference.

Some regions impose unreasonable charges on imported alcohol and some even promote the manufacture of fake products. Driven by the profit potential of the business, many companies produce or sell alcohol products without any kind of certification, according to Huang.

He directed local governments to eliminate regulations and policies that exclude products from other places and impede fair competition. Amendments are to be submitted to the Ministry of Commerce by the end of October.

Liquor producers are being instructed to clean out their warehouses under government supervision. Spot checks will be conducted, and unauthorized products will be destroyed.

Places that sell alcohol, such as markets and restaurants, will be inspected to phase out fake products.

Huang said a long-term system of alcohol management will be set up to ensure market order. Standards for wholesale and retail operations are expected to be in place by the end of the year.

In addition, a system will be set up to keep records of companies’ merits and demerits.

Commerce departments have been told to try to make sure that only qualified companies and products enter the liquor market.

(China Daily September 30, 2004)