As consumption has become a major driver of China's economic growth, consumer demand for safe and high-quality products is keeping pace. However, unscrupulous producers and retailers remain prevalent.

During the China Central Television annual gala to mark Consumer Rights Day on March 15, a number of producers and retailers guilty of selling fake and substandard products were exposed. The show has played an important role in protecting consumer rights, but a lot more needs to be done to improve the general quality of commodities in China.

As China's economy transitions from a phase of rapid growth to a stage of high-quality development, a higher standard must be upheld for consumer products. Products sold at home and abroad should be measured against the same set of standards in order to reach preeminent global levels. The market should be guided to increase the supply of high-quality products and services in order to create an environment conducive to satisfying people's needs for a better life and increasing their sense of gain, happiness and safety.

Effective supervision is also indispensable for improving quality. An important cause of the prevalence of fake and substandard products is the low cost of transgressions, and so heftier fines should be imposed on offenders. In addition, supervision, management and law enforcement should all be strengthened. Issues should be discovered through spot checks, inspections, complaints filed by consumers and media exposure. Cases involving the infringement of consumer rights should be cracked down on in accordance with the law.

(This is an edited excerpt of an article published in Nanfang Daily on March 16)