Strengthening Market Oversight, Building a Safer Consumer Environment — Thematic Forum of the Market Research & Evaluation Committee Convenes in Wuhan

Wuhan, December 12 – To thoroughly study and implement the guiding principles of the Fifth Meeting of the Second Standing Council of the China Food and Drug Safety Promotion Association and to define its work direction for the new era, the Market Research and Evaluation Committee convened a thematic symposium in Wuhan. A representative from ChinaEntryHub was invited to attend.

Centered on the theme "Understanding the Guidelines, Focusing on the Mission, and Building Consensus," the symposium featured in-depth study and lively discussions on how to effectively fulfill its core responsibilities as a "forward outpost" for market oversight and a "strategic advisor" for consumer decision-making in the new landscape. Attendees included committee members, heads of member service offices from various regions, and representatives from industries such as media and key opinion leaders.

I. Elevating Perspectives and Deepening Understanding for Strategic Direction
Attendees collectively engaged in a thorough study of the key address delivered by President Mao Zhenbin at the Fifth Meeting of the Second Standing Council. The meeting reached a consensus that at the intersection of profound global changes and the nation's modernization journey, it is imperative to consistently uphold the correct political direction, deeply grasp the Association's responsible role within the broader context of national development, and align thinking and actions with the Association's overall deployment. Particular emphasis was placed on comprehending and implementing the requirements for advancing the "12356" Work Plan and the ten key priority areas.

The discussion focused on key directives such as "serving new employment groups in the food and drug sectors," "cultivating projects that represent new quality productive forces," and "strengthening technological innovation in food and drugs." These were identified as the actionable guide and fundamental basis for the Committee's future work, emphasizing the need to proactively adapt to changes and reinforce the sense of mission.

II. Focusing on Frontiers and Deliberating Practical Strategies
The symposium closely revolved around the core mission of "food safety and assured consumption," examining the current market environment, especially the challenges and opportunities presented by emerging business models. Participants shared insights and reflections based on practical experiences from their respective fields.

Significant discussion was devoted to the rapid growth of new models like live-streaming e-commerce and their profound impact on food and drug safety. Influencers and content creators from relevant fields shared frontline experiences and reflections on maintaining strict product selection, adhering to compliance baselines, and protecting consumer rights during live-stream sales. A strong consensus emerged: influence must be grounded in responsibility. All practitioners must prioritize product safety and quality, consciously becoming disseminators of safety knowledge and guardians of the consumption environment.

Discussions further concentrated on the Committee's primary duties. Participants actively explored how to establish and improve a fair, transparent, and credible system of evaluation and screening standards through more scientific, systematic, and independent market research and product testing. The aim is to provide consumers with genuinely valuable decision-making references, guide healthy market competition, foster an industry ecology where "high-quality products drive out inferior ones," and help purify the online consumption environment.

III. Consolidating Efforts and Charting the Path Forward
Through full exchange, the symposium further unified thinking and clarified the Committee's focal points for the next phase:

1. Upholding Party Leadership to Steer Development: Continuously strengthen political development to ensure the Committee's work progresses in the correct direction, providing solid assurance for fulfilling its duties.

2. Deepening the "Four Services" to Align with National Strategy: Consciously integrate the Committee's work into the Association's overall plan and the national development landscape, leveraging professional value particularly in serving new employment forms and cultivating new quality productive forces within the industry.

3. Strengthening Research and Evaluation to Solidify Collaborative Governance: Aiming to build an environment of "food safety and assured consumption," continuously enhance market research capabilities and strive to establish a more authoritative product evaluation system. Foster extensive collaboration among regulators, producers, platform operators, content creators, and consumers to jointly build a new pattern of societal co-governance.

4. Guiding Emerging Sectors to Promote Industry Self-Discipline: Proactively address new challenges such as live-stream commerce for food and health products, promoting the development of industry norms and standards. Seizing the opportunity presented by the self-regulation conventions and declarations released during the recent Standing Council meeting, guide market entities towards voluntary compliance, supporting the healthy and sustainable development of new business models.

A new journey has begun, and a new mission shouldered. Taking this symposium as a fresh starting point and under the strong leadership of the Association, the Market Research and Evaluation Committee will unite all industry stakeholders, remain true to its original aspiration, and forge ahead with determination. Through concrete actions and professional contributions, the Committee will earnestly fulfill its vital roles as the "forward outpost" for market oversight and the "strategic advisor" for consumer decisions. It is committed to making positive contributions to safeguarding public health, fostering a more assured consumption environment, and steadily advancing the modernization of food and drug safety governance with Chinese characteristics.