President Xi Jinping is the General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee. (Photo : Reuters)
President Xi Jinping has called for the implementation of "strictest" food safety measures, citing the impact food safety on people's livelihoods.
In an instruction published on Thursday, the authorities were asked to perform their duty with the people before anything else. In addition, the president said there is a need for a stronger and more cohesive supervision system which would help to boost the public confidence in the government.
Xi, who is also the general-secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, repeatedly emphasized the importance of food safety, an accountable authoritative system and serious punishments. He also said there is a need to set up rigorous standards as well as supportive legislations.
Similarly, Premier Li Keqiang said that failing to adhere to food safety measures, guilty parties would receive harsh punishments. He also called on the relevant government agencies to prioritize people and focus on tackling food safety issues.
According to Xinhua, Li advised that a food safety supervision system should be made in such a way that the whole food production process is covered.
Meanwhile, the State Council Food Safety Commission, which is headed by Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, conducted its third plenary meeting on the same day. Zhang believes that to bring improvement within the domain, supply-side structural reform is an imperative.
On a different note, Zhang said that excessive residues of pesticides and veterinary drugs should be paid attention to. In case of food safety violation, he added that food enterprises must be held accountable and emphasized the need for a better system to track vulnerabilities and risks involving food products.
Zhang also urged for a better supervision and underlined food safety during the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year holiday.
Vice Premier Wang Yang was also present in the meeting, according to China Daily.
