Li made the remarks at a national meeting in Beijing on rectifying and regulating the market economy.

He called on all localities to spare no efforts in cracking down on fake and substandard goods.

Li stressed that priority should be given to the fight against the production and sale of fake food, medicine, medical equipment and agricultural materials, which have caused widespread public concern.

He said that, for many years, the government has been working hard to eradicate malpractice in the construction, cultural and travel industries, crack down on pyramid selling, and intensify taxation levy management.

Li stressed the need to take a firm stance to deepen the work on rectification and regulation of the market economy.

Since the hard-hitting campaign started in April 2001, following a national conference held by the State Council, governments and related departments at various levels have firmly dealt with behavior disrupting the market economic order.

Results have been gained in the crackdown, but there is still room for improvement, Li said.

Li urged the upgrading of laws and regulations and the building of a sound and credible law-enforcement mechanism to ensure a sustained and fundamental improvement of the market economy.

In an effort to eradicate problems in the market economy, information technology is being increasingly used.

The vice-premier called for the establishment of a comprehensive mechanism, comprising government control and media and public supervision.

(China Daily February 12, 2003)