Chinese consumers are encouraged to spend more by the Chinese government. (Photo : Getty Images)
On Wednesday, new guidelines on improving the quality of consumer products were released. These guidelines were drafted by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine.
The guidelines are part of the government's efforts to encourage consumer spending, which already composes 73.4 percent of the country's GDP.
LI said, "Government departments should better enhance coordination, while enterprises need to have a stronger emphasis on quality, branding, R&D, and marketing. They also need to fully set up awareness of branding."
"It is important that the quality of consumer goods made in China can withstand the test of the market," he added.
The initiative also plans to improve the appeal of Chinese products in the global market. The guideline wants all Chinese products to be globally competitive by 2020.
Product safety is a major issue with Chinese consumer goods and news of tainted products have decreased consumer confidence. To address this, the guidelines plan to improve quality controls in manufacturing.
"Product safety comes first and foremost for improving consumer goods' quality and standards," Li said. "We should not leave product safety a matter of concern for consumers. The government should also innovate our supervisory methods."
The manufacturing sector has been upgrading its production standards. However, the government wants to improve production in the food, home appliance, electronics, clothing, cosmetics, daily chemical products and sporting goods sectors.
The premier added, "By improving the consumer goods sector, we will force the upgrading of equipment manufacturing. The manufacturing industry is the cornerstone of the country's entire industry."
Aside from improving the quality of control in production, the government also wants to improve workers' skills and awareness on consumer safety. This will be done through partnerships with universities and vocational schools.
"We need to train more highly skilled workers and foster a culture of craftsmanship," the premier said.
