Beijing launches product safety PR offensive

Beijing has launched a new television campaign to combat growing international concern about the safety of Chinese-made products, AP reported. The campaign, titled "Believe in Made in China," aired its first part on China Central Television on August 19. Li Changjiang, director of GAQSIQ, the product safety watchdog, was featured on the program, saying that the recent wave of recalls was a "new trend in trade protectionism." He said his department was doing its best to monitor product safety. The day after the show aired, New Zealand authorities said they were investigating children's clothing containing dangerous levels of formaldehyde, which can cause skin rashes and cancer. On August 16, China's commerce ministry criticized foreign media for being "irresponsible" in their coverage of the product safety issue.