March 15th is World Consumer Rights Day. To mark the occasion, many cities' consumers' associations and industry and commerce bureaus in China have jointly offered consultancies over the weekend to deal with consumer complaints. However, when many Hangzhou citizens went to ask for help, they found the consultancy was more of a promotional commodity fair.
 
Thousands of people have attended the activity, hoping to raise questions and list complaints. But many were disappointed when they found only two counters accepting complaints and offering advice.

However, those who sell cold drinks and ice cream are walking around with huge grins. According to a vendor, he made close to eight thousand yuan in just a few hours.

He says most of the enterprises participating in the activity are members of the city's Quality Inspection Association. They have paid to participate and are aiming promote their products.

He says they want consumers to be aware of their products. Since the activity has been organized by the quality inspection department, participating in it can prove their products are really good.

But from the consumers' point of view, this has nothing to do with defending their rights:

She says the consultancy should teach consumers to identify quality brands from fake and inferior commodities. But she hasn't found that service available there.

An official from the industry and commerce bureau, who is in charge of accepting complaints at the activity, responds to a complaint:

He says the directors of the industry and commerce bureau were there in the morning. But consumers weren't there so they didn't see them. The bureau is going to hold other activities on Monday. So the weekend's activity is not entirely for Consumer Rights Day.

Many consumers are questioning why the activity bears the name "consulting service of consumers' rights," when the actual consulting services available represent a marginal portion of the event. Many came to the consultancy in search of advice, but with only two counters accepting complaints there are few opportunities to field questions and list concerns. Consumers say the event is misleading and does not accurately represent World Consumer Rights Day. They also hope the event isn't a signal that the industry and commerce bureau and quality inspection association are becoming organizers for commodity fairs of any kind.

(CRI March 15, 2004)