Premier vows to provide safe products for people and world

In the wake of the tainted milk powder case, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao pledged on Saturday his government would work hard to make sure that the country produces safe products for both its people and the rest of the world.

"The incident is not over yet ... My government and I will lead our people through this hard journey," said Wen during a question and answer session at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Davos forum in north China's Tianjin Municipality on Saturday afternoon.

"It's not just food or dairy ... We will make the entire 'Made in China' worry-free and reputable products for both the Chinese and the people across the world," said the premier.

As for the tainted milk power incident, Wen said the case not only indicated the country was still weak in production monitoring process, but also reminded the government to attach great importance to enterprises morality, business ethics, and social conscience.

Meanwhile, he made a promise that China will accelerate its pace in upgrading the country's food production industry.

China's food quality has been severely criticized recently, as more than 6,200 infants have developed kidney stones and four were killed after drinking baby formula tainted with melamine. The chemical, which was added illegally, makes the protein content of milk appear higher than it actually is.

After the well-known Sanlu formula's problem exposure, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine conducted a nationwide examination of baby milk powder to find 22 companies whose formulas were tainted.

"China did not intend to cover the truth when the incident happened. Instead, it faced frankly and bravely tried to solve the problem. I believe we will not disappoint the entrepreneurs here, as well as our people and people in the rest of the world," said Wen.

The premier said he was very much moved when he saw in TV Mandelson drink a cup of Chinese milk yesterday to show his trust for made-in-China products. "It is because he not only sees the current days, but the future."

Source: Xinhua